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.