Deal Hunting: How to/what am I doing wrong?

[Alex Manley]

Based on everything I have read here on BP, the most important part of RE Investing is finding a great deal. My question is simple, but the answer no doubt complicated: How?

I have been using lots of online databases (Realtor, Zillow, Trulia, Craigslist, etc.), but none of the online inventory in my target markets (Aurora and Elgin, IL) really works as a buy and hold investment. I have also talked with 2 agents with 0 results. 

I am sure there are other ways to find deals, I'm just not sure what they are. To any BPers out there who can tell me what I need to do better, what should I do to find my first deal?

[Jay Hinrichs]

@Alex Manley  2% rule is so 2009  .. some areas IE out in country bumbin IL you can certainly find that in close to thriving metro no way.. waste of your time.. of course over a 3 year time span you might find that pumpkin that fell off the turnip truck