You could explore direct outreach to absentee owners, distressed properties and motivated sellers identified through networking.

Hey BPI had a motivated Seller contact me recently in response to an ad I posted on Craigslist and she is very motivated but she owes 50k on the property and the median sales price for homes recently sold in that area is only around 66k.

Purchase Price: $57,000 direct from motivated seller. 

Hi @Alex Yost,In my experience it really comes down to the market you are in and your motivation.

My question is what is the process once you do receive a call from a motivated seller?  

I'm happy to work with young and motivated people so I will definitely be looking him up.  

Here is my post describing that deal if you're interested: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/41/topics/345447-help-analyzing-my-first-foreclosureOnce the rehab has begun there and I have all my ducks in a row, I plan to begin some direct marketing around Clark Co. and Louisville to find motivated sellers.

Have you spoken to a motivated seller?

@Andrew OrrBasically, what you're trying to do is market to motivated sellers.

Not real sure where to start, and need to do a lot more reading; San Diego seems like a tough market, but I'm motivated.