What You Need Before You Use Goliath

Before you use Goliath, you need to understand what the platform does, assess whether it fits your real estate needs, ensure you have the right data access permissions, and prepare your workflow and team for integration. Whether you're a real estate agent, investor, wholesaler, or property analyst, success with Goliath depends on meeting technical, legal, and operational prerequisites upfront.

TL;DR

• Verify your internet connection speed, browser compatibility, and device specifications meet Goliath's minimum technical requirements before signing up.
• Confirm you have legal permission to access and use the property data Goliath provides in your jurisdiction, and understand your data licensing restrictions.
• Clarify your specific use case and budget to ensure Goliath's features, data coverage, and pricing align with your real estate goals.

Assess Your Real Estate Use Case

Goliath is designed for multiple real estate professions, but not every feature or data set will serve every user equally. Before subscribing, identify exactly what you need Goliath to do: Are you a residential agent hunting for expired listings and FSBO leads? An investor analyzing neighborhoods and property values? A wholesaler building skip-trace lists? A team manager overseeing comps and market analysis? Your use case shapes which data packages and tools you'll actually use, and it determines whether the platform will deliver return on investment.

Spend time on Goliath's public documentation, video walkthroughs, and trial access (if available) to see whether the core features address your workflow. If Goliath specializes in a geography or property type you don't work in, or if its lead-generation tools don't match your prospecting strategy, identify that before commit. Conversely, if you work in multiple states or property types, confirm Goliath's data coverage in all your target areas.

Verify Technical Requirements and Setup

Goliath, like any cloud-based real estate platform, has baseline hardware and software needs. You'll need a device (desktop, laptop, or tablet) with sufficient processing power and RAM to run the platform smoothly, alongside a modern web browser with JavaScript enabled. Check Goliath's system requirements: typical expectations include Windows 10 or later, macOS 10.14 or later, or a compatible mobile OS; a processor equivalent to Intel i5 or better; at least 8GB RAM; and browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge from the last two versions.

Internet connectivity is non-negotiable. Goliath requires a stable, broadband connection, typically at least 10 Mbps download speed to load maps, property reports, and databases without lag. If you work from multiple offices or remotely, test your network at each location. If you rely on mobile data or shared WiFi, ensure it meets the speed threshold. Poor connectivity will frustrate your team and waste time on sync delays and timeouts.

If you plan to integrate Goliath with other real estate software (CRM, transaction management, listing portals), confirm API compatibility and any third-party data connectors before setup. Some integrations require lead-capture tools or Zapier-style automation platforms to bridge systems. Clarify those dependencies with Goliath support upfront, and test in a sandbox environment if possible.

Understand Data Access and Legal Permissions

Real estate data is governed by state and federal law, and misuse can expose you to legal liability. Before using Goliath, confirm that you have the right to access and use the data it provides. Property records, tax assessor data, and MLS information each carry different usage rules.

Public property records (parcel data, deed history, assessed value, ownership) are typically legal to access, but some jurisdictions restrict how you can use or resell that data. Skip-trace data (phone numbers, emails, prior addresses) is often lawful but subject to regulations like the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). If you use Goliath to generate lead lists, especially for cold outreach or automated calling, you must comply with these laws or face fines. Consult your state's real estate commission, attorney, or compliance officer to confirm Goliath's data sources and your usage rights in your jurisdiction.

Similarly, if Goliath pulls from MLS data, you must be an MLS member and adhere to that MLS's rules on data scraping, export, and redistribution. Unauthorized MLS use can result in fines, suspension, or loss of listing privileges. Clarify with Goliath and your MLS broker what data flows are permitted in your account.

Review Goliath's terms of service and data use agreement before signing. Identify what you can and cannot do with exported lists, how long data can be retained, whether you can share it with team members or partners, and what happens if you breach terms. Ignorance of these terms won't shield you from violations, and violations can be costly.

Prepare Your Team and Workflow

If you're deploying Goliath across a team, plan rollout and training. Assign a power user or administrator to own the platform, set up user roles and permissions, and create internal guidelines for data handling and lead follow-up. New software introduces friction and confusion if teams aren't prepared. Budget time for onboarding: schedule live training sessions or walkthroughs, document your company's playbook for using Goliath (which data to pull, when, how to qualify leads, how to log follow-up), and identify which team members need which access levels.

Consider whether Goliath will replace an existing tool or augment it. If you're migrating from another platform, plan data import and export strategies to avoid loss of historical information. If Goliath sits alongside existing tools, define handoffs: Who pulls the lead? Who enters it into the CRM? Who follows up? Ambiguous workflows slow adoption and create duplicate or missed work.

Set expectations with your team on how Goliath improves their job and when they'll see results. Lead-generation platforms require consistent use to prove value. If agents are skeptical or unmotivated, they won't engage with the tool, and you'll waste the subscription.

Budget and Cost Planning

Before subscribing, clarify all costs. Real estate data platforms charge via subscription tiers, feature add-ons, or usage-based pricing. Goliath may offer monthly, annual, or team-wide pricing models. Compare the cost against your expected ROI: if you work 30 leads per month and close 10% at an average commission of $8,000 per sale, a single closed deal covers many months of platform fees. But if you expect fewer leads or work in a lower-commission market, the math shifts. Use Goliath's free trial (if offered) or request a demo with realistic lead volumes and conversion rates to forecast your return.

Factor in indirect costs: training time, user licenses for team members, API integrations with other software, and ongoing account management. Some plans charge per user, so adding agents increases cost. Others charge per data access or export. If you exceed usage limits, you may incur overage fees. Ask Goliath support for a detailed cost breakdown and a recommendation based on your team size and activity level.

Review Data Accuracy and Limitations

No real estate database is 100% current or accurate. Property records lag, contact information becomes stale, and addresses may be incomplete or wrong. Before relying on Goliath for critical decisions (like targeting specific neighborhoods or making investment offers), cross-check key data against county assessor websites, MLS, or direct phone contact. Understand which data Goliath sources (county records, third-party vendors, MLS, public databases) and how recently it updates. Some datasets refresh daily; others monthly or quarterly. Out-of-date contact info or property values can waste your time on bad leads.

Ask Goliath about known coverage gaps. Does it cover all counties in your state, or only some? Are rural properties, commercial properties, or certain property types excluded? Are there data blackout zones where Goliath has limited or no records? Understanding these limits prevents frustration and ensures you use the platform only where it's strong.

Establish Security and Data Privacy Practices

Goliath likely stores sensitive real estate and contact information. Ensure your account has strong password requirements, two-factor authentication, and role-based access controls so only authorized users see certain data. If you handle client information, verify that Goliath complies with relevant privacy regulations (CCPA in California, GDPR if serving EU clients, industry standards like SOC 2). Review Goliath's encryption standards, data backup practices, and breach notification procedures.

Establish internal rules for your team: Don't share login credentials, don't export lists to insecure email or cloud storage, don't sell or redistribute data without permission. Train your team on phishing and social engineering, since real estate leads attract scammers. A security lapse can compromise client data and your business reputation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need special real estate licensing to use Goliath?

Goliath itself does not require you to hold a real estate license, but many of its uses do. If you're an unlicensed buyer, you can use Goliath to research properties and neighborhoods. However, if you're acting as an agent, wholesaler, or in any capacity that requires a license in your state, you must be licensed. Additionally, certain lead generation and skip-trace practices may trigger licensing and compliance rules, so check your state's real estate commission and attorney before using Goliath for prospecting or solicitation.

Can I use Goliath data for direct mail or cold calling campaigns?

It depends on Goliath's data sources and your jurisdiction's laws. Public property records are generally legal to use for direct mail. However, phone numbers and email addresses from skip-trace data are subject to TCPA, CAN-SPAM, and state telemarketing laws. Before launching any cold outreach campaign, review Goliath's terms of service, verify you have the legal right to contact those individuals in your state, and maintain do-not-call compliance. Consult a real estate attorney if you're unsure whether your use case is compliant.

What should I do if Goliath doesn't have data for my specific area?

Ask Goliath support whether they plan to expand coverage in your region and when. In the meantime, consider supplementary sources: county assessor websites, MLS databases, title companies, or county clerk records. Some agents use multiple platforms to fill gaps; Goliath might be strong for residential leads but weak for commercial, for example. Evaluate whether Goliath's coverage in your serviceable areas justifies the cost, or whether it's better paired with another tool.

How do I measure whether Goliath is delivering ROI?

Track leads generated from Goliath separately from other sources. Log the number of leads, conversion rate (leads to appointments or closed deals), average deal value, and total commission earned from Goliath-sourced business. Compare that to your subscription cost. Most real estate professionals break even on a new lead source within 3 to 6 months if they use it consistently and prospect effectively. If you're not seeing results after 6 months, review your strategy: Are you using all available features? Are you following up promptly? Is the data quality poor in your market? Troubleshoot with Goliath support before canceling.

Sources

• U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts, housing, ownership, and local market context.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, official guidance on buying, financing, and distressed property.
• GoliathData real-estate records, distressed-property and market data compiled from public records.