Non-obvious ways of finding properties

[Ian G.]

I've had the idea for about 6 years to start flipping houses, with the goal of owning a couple of rental properties. Two years ago I actually quit my job and moved somewhere that had a good market (at the time) and then prices tripled in the week I was getting settled and that was that.

But recently I'm thinking about this again. There's no way I can afford anything that goes through a realtor in the current market. It looks like sheriff sales are few, and very popular so I don't expect a great deal there either.

On the other hand, this area doesn't have a lot of "investor" types, so my competition is people who want houses not people who know anything about real estate. So based on the experience you have, are there un-exploited means of finding deals - whether through banks or really anything - that most inexperienced buyers do not know to try?

I have no access to financing, a modest amount of cash, and the skills to repair a property.

[Eliott Elias]

I am finding most my deals via realtors right now. The market is soft and realtors are desperate to sell, leverage that.