How We Score Properties
Every property gets a 0-100 opportunity score based on four weighted pillars. Stop guessing which deals to pursue — let data decide.
The Four Scoring Pillars
Each pillar captures a different dimension of deal quality. Together, they give you a single number that tells you where to focus.
Distress
How motivated is the owner to sell? Measures years of tax delinquency, ownership age, heir signals, and deceased owner flags.
- 5+ years delinquent = highest distress
- Heir property signals increase score
- Deceased owner flags increase score
Deal Quality
How good are the economics? Evaluates property value, tax-to-value ratio, liens, judgments, and access issues.
- Higher value = more profit potential
- Lower tax-to-value ratio = less to pay off
- Liens and judgments reduce score
Acquisition Complexity
How hard is this deal to close? Simpler deals score higher. Considers owner count, title complications, and heir situations.
- Single individual owner = simplest
- No liens or judgments = clean title
- Heir situations add complexity
Timeline Pressure
Is there urgency to act? Properties approaching tax sale or with long delinquency histories score higher.
- Tax sale within 30 days = maximum urgency
- 8+ years delinquent = county action likely
- Tax-sale-eligible status adds pressure
Letter Grades
The composite score translates to a letter grade for instant visual prioritization:
Score 60-100 — High Priority
Pursue immediately. Strong signals across distress, economics, and simplicity.
Score 50-59 — Good Opportunity
Worth regular outreach. Solid potential — check the breakdown to see what's strong and what needs work.
Score 0-49 — Worth Investigating
May need more data or have lower priority. Check the breakdown — scores update as you enrich data.
Deal Breakers
Some issues are serious enough to flag regardless of score. These show as red warnings that override the grade display:
Environmental Contamination
EPA Superfund sites, brownfields, or toxic releases near the property. Creates massive liability and remediation costs.
Government-Owned Property
Properties owned by county, city, state, or school districts typically can't be acquired through standard channels.
What's NOT a deal breaker: IRS liens, heir complications, and active bankruptcy all reduce the Complexity score but don't kill the deal — experienced investors handle these regularly. The score reflects the added difficulty; deal breakers are reserved for truly unworkable situations.
Ready to See Scores on Real Properties?
LienSuite automatically scores every property in your pipeline. Stop guessing which deals to pursue — let data prioritize your time.