Creatively buy my own house?

[Curtis H.]

Hello all,

I posted last night and realized it was all over the place and narrowed my possible responses down by giving a geographical region.

What I should have asked is this...

What is the best way for me to go about finding a home to LIVE IN, but creatively?

I used to invest, but had to move to Southern CA and life took a different course (for the better). I have a rental property in TX (where I used to live) but nothing else.

Should I look for Notice of Defaults in my area? Call a realtor who deals with investors to find me pre-foreclosures or fixer uppers?

I just know I do NOT want to pay market value for a home. Not with all the investing knowledge I had accumulated (and now lost) over the years. That just seems like the worst way to go.

Any advice would be helpful.

Thanks,
Curtis