Where to look for Investments

Question

Hello Big Pockets community, I'm new to the site and new to investing in real estate. Without getting too much into my individual circumstances I'm currently actively seeking out my first potential investment. I would like to know where some of our experienced investors go to search for potential investments; is is through the MLS, foreclosure auctions, FSBO, other investors, etc? I know that these are all potential resources to be utilitized however which do you find to be most reliable and provide the best results? 
Thanks!
Ryan

Steve Babiak · Answer

some further reading; enjoy:

http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/93/topics/76751-finding-motivated-sellers-my-list

http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/311/topics/83692-cant-find-any-deals

James Hiddle · Answer

Ned Carey made a good list in another thread:

Pre-foreclosure
Vacant houses
code violations
rent court
Fire
burnt out landlords
delinquent taxes
auctions
FSBO
Craigs list
wholesalers
Absentee owners
out of state owners
Probate
Bankruptcy
Direct mail to any of the above.

Ryan Colucci · Answer

Thank you for your reply Kelly. MLS and sites like realtor.com, redfin have been my current strategies but i do feel like there are probably better bargains to be found elsewere I'm just not sure how one goes about finding these.

Any other comments? Was hoping to get a little bit more feedback.

Kelly N. · Answer

Hi Ryan,

We started by looking at realtor.com for listings in the area we liked, then called the listing agents to go look at a few.  Through that, we met a buyer's agent and purchased one of the properties he showed us (had also been on realtor.com).  After seeing what we were looking for, he now sends us info on similar properties which are an MLS but not all on realtor.com.  We are closing on one of these this week, and he realtor says he has some leads on off-MLS properties to show us next.

We're interested in multifamily buy and holds that are currently occupied.  I am sure the answer will be quite different for other market areas and other strategies.

Kelly