Is Bird-Dogging the Best/Only to find Properties to Wholesale?

[Lauren N Sellers]

I am brand new to real estate and have been going out and building a list of "ugly" homes and using local property records to try and track down owners. It a very tedious process and one that I am certainly willing to go through to "earn my stripes" if there isn't another (better) way. However, if there is, please share. Experience and advice is appreciated. Thanks very much.