How to lead-gen for-sale-by-owner or distressed properties in Canada?

[Tomasz Andres]

I've been looking to find a way to lead-gen for-sale-by-owner or distressed properties in Ontario.

What sorts of strategies would work in Canada?

Is pulling lists an option?

[Stevo Sun]

Quote from @Michael W Sullivant:

Hi Tomasz!

Yep, "pulling lists" in Canada is tough and I have not figured it out. However, I think it was on Glen Sutherland's podcast "A Canadian Investing in the USA," that I heard him interview someone in Ontario who printed some door hangers and was getting some good deals through that. Obviously, that is a bit more tedious since you have to either put in the footsteps yourself or hire someone else to do it. I think the guy he talked to said something about paying for a service that delivers local newspapers and flyers to also deliver his hanger.

Sorry I can't be more specific and helpful!

 Some services will print your 'ads' and mail them out for you. During 2021 I received multiple in my mailbox. They are usually printed in a handwritten font and basically ask the question, 'are you looking to sell your house?'. 

The other way you can go about it is the good old driving for dollars technique and look for distressed properties. From there, you can pull the title document and mail the owners on title. This is obviously more labour-intensive than the spray-and-pray method.

As far as I know, there's no way of pulling lists of distressed properties, even though you can generally pull individual land titles for a fee.