Driving for Dollars

[Benjamin Sulka]

What's up, BiggerPockets? 

I've recently started Driving for Dollars in my local market (Cleveland, OH). I go park the car near some streets that I want to walk, walk around with my dog and write down addresses of houses that stick out to me (not taken care of, long grass, overstuffed mailboxes, general disrepair, etc.) 

What other things do you look for when walking neighborhoods and looking at properties? 

I'm also trying to figure out how to speed up the process. I wrote about 10 unique addresses today and it took me over an hour to research the properties. I put all the addresses in a spreadsheet and then surf the county website to look at the owners info, tax data, etc. I also include notes about things that stuck out about the property. 

Am I doing my due diligence? Or should this be a quicker process? Appreciate any advice on how to systematize this better. 

-Ben, aspiring rental property investor 

[Alan Norton]

talk to neighbors. I got an off market deal a couple years ago based on what the next door neighbor told me. "my name is ___________ and I'm interested in buying the house next door/down the street, do you know anything about it/Who owns it/how long has it been vacant?

If they don't know, go to the next neighbor.

This is the footwork most are unwilling to do so your competition is relatively insignificant

PS: always leave a card with your finder's fee on the back