How I found my last 4 off market deals-- you just gotta do it

After being involved in real estate for about 2 years at this point. I've begun to be more vocal about my real estate dealings, I've made efforts to network, and just be totally immersed in trying to be a full time real estate investor.... one day. I've gone to meetups, convinced a buddy to rent his house out and start his investing career, and done a deal with my father as he's become interested in the real estate investing world. 

Anyway, my point being, this mindset, has truly helped me get my last 4 deals. These weren't found on craigslist, the MLS... these weren't on the market... I take that back, I actually wholesaled a deal off the MLS. The education and confidence podcasts, articles, etc from BP and other outlets are truly valuable.... and all I've really done to get these deals was listen and take action. It's really as simple as that. 

Deal 1 

I sent letters to every house in my "strike zone", irrespective of if they were LLC's or owner occupants. A lady responded, it was her dads house, he was in the hospital and they wanted to sell quick-- a very similar situation to nearly every wholesale account you'd hear on the BP podcast. 

Got under contract for 68k, found buyer 80k.... a buyer on BP nonetheless. 

Deal 2

Another idea from a BP podcast, I can't recall which, but I remember someone on the pod saying always ask, "do you have any other properties for sale?" So I called up David, who I bought my first property from and asked if he'd sell me his other one in the neighborhood. Long story short, he's agreed to put it on land contract for me at 9% interest. The deal worked out great for both sides, I've got a property near the University area.... he got rid of a property that he didn't have time to run and manage. 

Deal 3 

MLS Deal in my own backyard. I invest solely in the neighborhoods adjacent to the University of Cincinnati... I live in the suburbs... I'd never bought anything in the suburbs... but I kept driving by this nice looking house... then I found out it was a Duplex and decided to check it out... it was listed on MLS and had been on market for a long while at 185k. Well, when I went to check it out, it was in great shape, well maintained, in the most ideal school district, and best yet, it could easily be outfitted into a Triplex. I was kind of just like f^^% it, I'll offer 125k. I had intended to rent it out, but actually wound up wholesaling it to a fellow BPer, who now will have a great deal... and I was able to make 15k... and my buyer was able to still buy at a discount. 

Deal 4 

Letter, in my "strike zone", this was a deal I intended to wholesale. But, as soon as I walked through, I loved the house... it was in a great location, with parking, gorgeous trim, original hardwood floors, central AC, and just an absolute killer college rental. I wanted this one for myself, so I decided to get an owner occupied 5% down conventional loan on it. I'll live there for the year.... and I may or may not have it rented out for next school year already. 

My goal in this post is really just to show you that there are many ways to get a deal. Everyone of these strategies were brought to my attention via BP blog, or podcast episodes. So you really just have to listen, educate yourself, and start doing it. 

Cheers.