A good investor friendly bank contact seemed like a needle in a haystack (I'm a small fry but returned calls seem just polite haha).

I would think finding motivated sellers that want to provide owner financing will be like "finding a needle in a haystack".

You really did find a needle in the haystack.

It's all based on numbers, that are minimum/maximums that I redetermine (my REI Plan does actually), which in turn is based on my financial requirements (real life).In other words, I'm not looking for needles in haystacks, I'm looking for stacks of needles, by using reverse engineering.

Frankly, a lot of BAD deals have been coming through my pipeline, but I remain hopeful for the needle in the haystack to finally appear.My question has to do with best practices for following-up with owners that have properties that I have no intention of buying. 

Frankly, a lot of BAD deals have been coming through my pipeline, but I remain hopeful for the needle in the haystack to finally appear.My question has to do with best practices for following-up with owners that have properties that I have no intention of buying. 

It's really a needle in a haystack on the MLS to find a good deal, but I'm with you on going out and finding the deals ourselves.

Are they a needle in a haystack? 

I feel like I'm searching for a needle in a haystack and I'm passing up on all these great flip opportunities.

The reliable ones that aren't over priced or very high end are like a needle in a haystack