When a "deal" is not a deal

I have been finding many good deals in the Milwaukee area right on the MLS.  So it's definitely got me wondering, if there are so many good deals on the MLS, what is not on the MLS?

I have given my name and number out to wholesalers with a description of the types of properties I'm looking for.  To date, I have never had anyone bring me a deal.

So the other day, I get someone who responds to my "for rent" ad on Craigslist and he says that he has a property in my target market for $18,500 that needs a little work. 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, newer roof, new high-efficiency furnace, newer water heater, updated electrical.  Cash purchase only.

Okay, well that obviously interests me.  So I do a little research of my own.  There are $9,500 in delinquent property taxes, the water bill hasn't been paid since 2010, and there was fire damage -- there is a Condemnation order on the property.

Um, no.  So I email him back that I'm not interested as I can get properties in much better condition for not much more.  Then he tells me that he just decided to drop the price to $13,500. 

That would put me at $24,000 for a fire-damaged property?  Still no, I can get properties at that price without any fire damage.  I think he will need to do much better than that.  Even at $1,000 the total cost would still be $11,500.