Driving for dollars can be a useful strategy for identifying potential off-market opportunities, but it is important to understand how it compares to using our data. In most cases, it is not necessary because our model already identifies the majority of properties a driver would find. If a client wants to test this strategy, it should be done in a targeted way to maximize the value of their time.
What We Learned From Testing Driving for Dollars
We previously ran a driving for dollars test using thousands of properties. We hired drivers to physically inspect neighborhoods and identify homes that appeared visibly distressed from the outside.
The results showed that over 90% of the properties flagged by drivers were already identified within our high Likely Deal Score properties. This means the model was already capturing the majority of visible distress through property data.
The few properties that were not already surfaced by the model generally fell into two categories:
| Recently Transacted Properties | These properties had already been purchased by an investor, meaning they were no longer active opportunities. |
| Investor-Owned and Inactive Properties | These were properties owned by investors who had held them for a period of time but had not made improvements or plans to sell. |
Why Our Model Already Captures Most Opportunities
When a property is visibly distressed from the outside, our data typically identifies the same signals that indicate potential opportunity.
In most cases, driving for dollars does not uncover a large number of missed opportunities. Instead, it may only help identify a small number of properties that could potentially move into a different action plan or priority level.
Recommended Approach If a Client Wants to Run Driving for Dollars
If a client wants to use driving for dollars, we recommend running it as a targeted test rather than as a replacement for the data.
1. Pull the Right List
Instead of driving random properties, create a focused list using:
- High BuyBox Score properties
- Low Likely Deal Score properties
This helps identify properties where the model has lower confidence and where additional verification may add value.
2. Prioritize Older Properties
Add an age filter when possible:
- Prioritize properties that are 30+ years old
- Consider focusing on homes that are 50+ years old
Older properties are typically stronger candidates for visible distress. Newer properties within the buy box are usually less valuable for this strategy.
3. Focus on Specific ZIP Codes
Avoid trying to cover an entire county. Instead:
- Select specific ZIP codes
- Pull only properties within those areas
- Focus driving efforts where the client has the highest interest
4. Run It as a Test First
Before investing significant time and resources:
- Have the driver review the selected ZIP codes
- Look for properties that have not sold recently and are not already part of an investor strategy
- Measure whether the driver is finding meaningful opportunities
If the results are valuable, continue the strategy. If not, it confirms that the data is already covering the majority of opportunities.
Bottom line: The model already does the heavy lifting when identifying potential opportunities. Driving for dollars is an optional strategy that works best as a targeted validation tool — focused on specific ZIP codes, older properties, and areas where the client wants additional verification. It should complement the data, not replace it.