Methods to use for finding your first deal?

[Nathan Thompson]

Was looking for some advice and/or methods used to develop a list of potential deals, and what exactly qualifies a property as a potential deal. As of now I've used zillow, craigslist and drving for dollars as my main sources, and am not sure if broadening my qualifications is neecessary, as about 5 hours of driving for dollars yielded only about 25 prospects. Is this typical, or am I most likely looking over houses that have potential that I cannot see?

[Regina Sitterley]

@Nathan Thompson Driving for dollars is great.  I always look for anything at all that appears distressed or vacant.  Some signs are long grass, newpapers in the driveway, lots of "growth" in the gutters, etc.  I also like calling "for sale by owner" and "for rent" signs will I'm driving.  I actually got one of my best lenders this way, as a side note.  Are you sending a letter to the houses you drive by, or how are you handling that?  I wish you the best!