Finding deals and finance question in New Jersey

[Daniel Lotenberg]

I’m looking into find some properties in monmouth county, NJ - buy an hold brrrr - I know the market is crazy now and it’s s sellers market but how are investors finding deals? I know they don’t hit the mls really, how bout auctions online? Other investors told me they don’t even use wholesalers anymore because they are underestimating rehab Cost and charging too much. So how do people get off market deal!? Are they driving around looking for houses and sending letters to the owners? I have some little experience in real estate years ago when I was younger and I’m ready to dive in again and start doing it right and building a portfolio.

Also with financing are most people using hard money? How hard is it to find private financing instead. I spent a lot of cash in my home upgrading and also on my down payment which now that I think of it was prob not a great idea. I have 80k my self saved and can borrow about 50k from a relative but that's not gonna cut it. I appreciate any advice you can give. I'm thinking of maybe taking a HELOC on my existing primary residence since rates are low and I have a lot of equity. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.