how are you socal investors obtaining your property?

[Alex Peou]

so my question to all the california REI is what is giving you the most success in obtaining all of the rehab deals in your area? direct mailers? wholesalers? bandit signs? MLS? I talked to a real estate broker and he states that all of the REOs are mainly being gobbled up from the bank by big time investors in mass quantity and most shortsales are being performed in a manner that often is unethical where the best offer isn't being presented to the bank on the shortsale package. All the good deals that i feel have potential almost seems like its too good to be true.. is this really the case when going through the MLS? it seems like obtaining property here in socal isnt very easy (nor did i expect it to be) but can anybody shed any light on this? it is my understanding that investing in california is one of the most difficult places to do so and a goal of mine is to (hopefully sometime soon) get into my first property but want to make sure i am applying the right strategies and going about this the right way. is there realistically a way for a small timer like me to obtain a hidden gem of a property with limited cash? would any of you be willing share best practices for a noobster like me?

also on a side note: would any of you socal investor be willing to share some knowledge on your current rehab projects? i have done a lot of research and have learned A LOT from this AWESOME website and feel like its time for me to get experience from someone who actually knows what they are doing. i have a pair of VERY capable hands and quick moving feet in exchange for a little wisdom and guidance?? =]