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# How to approach historical prospecting

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**How to Perform Historical Prospecting in Probate Data**

1. **Understand the Value of Historical Prospecting**

* Historical prospecting focuses on older cases (e.g., 12–14 months old) to identify properties still available for sale.
* Probate Data tracks MLS activity weekly, so you can pinpoint properties where the deceased’s name matches the title and the property has not been sold or listed.
2. **Set Up a Historical Search**

* Start a **New Search** from the dashboard.
* Select your state (e.g., California) and county (e.g., Los Angeles County).
* For the date range, choose a specific month from the previous year (e.g., June 2022).
* Avoid extending the date range into the current year to keep the search focused on older cases.
3. **Refine Your Results**

* Run the search and review the results.
* To narrow down, click **Modify Filters** and apply criteria:

* **Market Insights:** Filter for “Available” properties (title matches the deceased, and the property is not listed or sold).
* **Petitioner Filters:** Select cases with phone numbers and email addresses.
4. **Analyze the Results**

* Review the refined list to find potential opportunities.
* Example: Out of 343 initial cases, filtering for available properties with contact info might yield 96 cases.
* Expect that around 60–70% of these cases are actionable leads, while the remainder might have been retained by families or resolved differently.
5. **Export and Prospect**

* Select all results (e.g., 96 cases) and download them as a CSV or PDF.
* Use the downloaded file to begin outreach and follow-up with potential leads.

**Summary:** Historical prospecting lets you identify properties that remain unsold from older probate cases, offering a high likelihood of actionable opportunities. Filter for available properties with contact details, export the refined list, and start reaching out to potential leads.