How can I find deals without cash lump sum required by auction?!

[Olu Owasanoye]

Currently struggling to find deals using auction sites as most of them want cash only. I have reached out to a few brokers but I feel I should also work on leads myself as I don't feel right sitting back and doing nothing waiting for broker leads to come through. Is there anything I can do in the meantime? what other alternatives can I pursue in looking for a deal out here in Chicago.

[Michael G.]

@Olu Owasanoye I’m new myself but i’ll offer what I can. Driving for dollars... drive around the neighborhood and look for homes that are vacant and use skip tracing services to locate the owner. Vacant homes are usually boarded up, have long grass, and looks unkept. You can find vacant homes by driving around town, hiring a bird dog, getting a Investor friendly real estate agent, talk to the mail man, tax collectors office, zoning office, you can even try call utility companies. You also can try pre-forclosure homes. Those records are found free, in your county recorders office. Probate homes are also a good investment if you can find them and the next of kin wants nothing to do with the house. Hope I’ve answered some questions.