Brand New to Wholesaling - What is step #1?

[Zachary Peacock]

Brand New Student of Real Estate - Currently self educating, but curious as to how I get the ball rolling beyond just reading and studying. How do I get the wheels turning on finding leads, and materializing my first wholesale deal? Just looking for general guidance. 

[Laurance Kevin Washington]

@Zachary Peacock, welcome to the real estate frontier! If you're just starting out I'll share my mind with you. Wholesaling is the spear-point of finding viable deals. The process can work for most any type of property & is well accepted across all asset classes; still, it's most common to start with residential homes. But if you identify a multi-plex of any sort, take action on it!! Underwrite it as if for your own portfolio; heck, like it's your Dad or Mom's portfolio. Remember, though, to keep it simple, simple, simple. 

*Educate yourself (but not on the computer all the time).... You need to engage yourself in "learn knowledge": Podcasts, relevant literature, BP forums (like you've bravely done here) and I would even recommend a legitimate RE Investment course that'll only run you about $150 schnapps or less. If it ain't in the budget; keep it pushing. Like @Rene Montelongo mentioned: Get to every single RE meet up near you. Build actual relationships & never fear from opening your mouth to what your need... which at this point is INFO, CRITERIA, LOCATIONS, ZIP CODES, & YES AREAS CURRENTLY getting HEAVY REI ACTIVITY.

*Get access to some lo-tech (any-type of tech that works for YOU) data holders. You need the following: County Property records, and the ability to discern what the map is telling you. You'll need a way to save & review the leads you'll capture from the various actions you'll take to attract deals. I use excel because I'm an Excel "Pro" of sorts. if you ain't got the Excel skill; keep it pushing another way. 

*Get in the car & Scout (preferably w/ an area map): Pen, paper, or tablet. Just be prepared to take photos of struggling, under performing real estate. Record the address & near by streets. Find a simple way to inform them of your serious interest to purchase the RE. Mail -knock doors- get them on the phone- & when you're ready open a way for them to find you online. 

*Build your Relationship Building Muscles: No disingenuous, halfhearted, moocher networking. Get to know people, find out how you can actually help them. Give more than you expect EVEN THOUGH it may seem as if you have nothing to give. Realtors (who understand investors will appreciate you), developers & builders usually have a hard time finding land. & active investors are eager to analyze deals from a serious newbie & will bite the right deal. 

*If you have a deal the money WILL come. Balance building that buyers list with taking action to get control of property or the contract at least. Always be honest & real with your motivated sellers. We don't need the car-salesmen stigma to get any bigger with investors than it is. No shady business. I hope this helps & I'm sure your on your way to profits!