Off-Market Properties Question

[Sam Lee]

Hello, rookie here.

I have two questions about off-market properties:

1. I can understand why investors prefer off-market properties; what are the upsides for sellers for offering their properties off-market? Wouldn't using MLS attract more buyers, creating more competition that can yield higher offers?

2. I hear that driving around your target market and look for vacant homes or private sale signs is one way to find off-market properties.  What are some strategies for finding off-market properties if you want to invest out-of-state?

I look forward to your guidance, thank you!!!

[Steve Vaughan]

My off-market sellers have all but one (a pre-foreclosure) been landlords with a level of motivation. They've usually self-managed forever and really had a dislike for realtors and the hassles / delays of random agents and buyers trampling through, making all the little repairs and staging, after inspection BS and waiting 45 days for a loan to close. 

My last guy said 'I can't believe those jokers expect me to pay for their agent to negotiate against me.  In what other industry does that happen? Stupid, snake BS.  Let's do this on our own. "