Top Three Ways To Find Off-Market Deals

If you're like most investors, you're stalking Realtor.com every day and trying to get offers in as soon as a property goes live. This is akin to "day trading" and can suck you into an endless cycle of emotional bidding that can end with malinvestment in properties where the returns don't justify the cost. Markets are cyclical, so it helps to know some ways that you can get access to off-market deals in any market. When the general real estate market is hot, use these sources. When it's not, stalk Realtor.com! That said, let's learn about the top three ways to find off-market deals in any market!

Realtors

Don't let current paradigms confuse you. While 99% of Realtors rely on the Multiple Listing Service to sell properties, there are those who are also investors and work on the opposite end of the spectrum. 

In general, most sellers want as much money as they can get for their property when they sell, so Realtors naturally list them at the price that will get their seller the best return based on what's acceptable in the market. Unfortunately, that can give them "tunnel vision" which leads Realtors to believe that every seller wants the most money for the property. What they often forget is that our job as Realtors is to provide the best outcome possible for our clients. Sometimes, more money isn't what they need...

Enter the Hybrid Realtor (people like yours truly). There are times when a seller needs to sell their property quickly, and they're willing to give up some equity to do so. I've helped many clients stop foreclosure who didn't care whether they got money at closing or not. People who are moving out of state for a job that starts the next week and just want enough for a down payment on another home are another example. A Hybrid Realtor recognizes this and can use real estate investment techniques to help their client secure a buyer for their property (Wholesaling, Subject-To Purchases, Etc). These Realtors keep a book of off-market deals and can keep you up to date on all that they have to offer.

Wholesalers

Some investors don't want to become a Realtor, and that's what works best for them. They enjoy the thrill of hunting for properties and the quick cash they can make when they assign the contract. These companies/individuals are your boots-on-ground and are always hunting for deals. You can find them by contacting properties for sale on Craigslist, Facebook Market Place, and sometimes by searching "We Buy Houses In [insert your city name here]. Get on their mailing list and keep a watch on what they acquire. Call them from time to time and build a relationship with them. When you've done a few deals with them, they may put you in their VIP Buyer Status and contact you first when they get a new deal!

Hamster Wheel Marketing 

If you want to get into the world of lead generation for yourself, there are certain forms of Hamster Wheel Marketing you can do. I call it Hamster Wheel, because you have to keep going with these activities, or you'll stop getting leads. Driving For Dollars, Cold Calling, and Mailers are the best performers. You can outsource a lot of these activities to freelancers using resources like Fiverr and Upwork if you don't want to do the work yourself.

Staying consistent with these activities, coupled with a solid branding strategy, can help you start building brand awareness and get you even more deals down the line!
Regardless of the path you take, there are always deals out there in any market. 

When people say "there's nothing out there" it just means that there's nothing on Realtor.com. True professionals think outside the box and their bank accounts thank them for it!