how do I find good deals?

[Mel Rosario]

I'm trying to become a part-time successful investor. I use mls sites, real estate agents in the areas I want to buy in (mainly in S. California), but most of the time when I'm ready to bid on the great looking deals, there is usually a pending offer, or it has a higher bid and the math doesn't look at great. Anyone have any other methods of getting great deals before these go public.

[Bill Gulley]

I think the internet has spoiled many older investors in these times and has gotten new investors off on the wrong foot!

Don hit it as he was in RE before REOs took center stage for investors.

Believe it or not, RE use to sell much closer to its open market value, if you wanted to buy a rental in any community, you had to find other pending issues for a distressed property or buy it close to market.

Lately, seems investors only look for 50% or so "discounts". Nothing wrong with that, but it means new investors miss out on how to really make a property profitable, IMO.

You need to walk and talk! Get out from behind the computer screen and go out in public. Spread the word as to who you are and what you do. Wear out some shoes! I recently flipped an option out of a resturant, not sitting at a computer looking at REOs.

Pass out cards. Talk to the waitress at a lunch counter. She may not have a house to sell or be able to afford to buy one, but she may have an aunt, mother, sister, brother who does.

I have talked to tenants who told me about landlords....being sick, getting too old, wanting to retire, wanting to move out of the area, etc.

Follow through on what you learn on the street.

There are all kinds of deals out there and they are not all on your computer! Good luck