These sweetheart deals were always a needle in a haystack even back in the day. 

Finding buyers for a lot is like trying to find a needle in the haystack, plus someone buying a lot seems to have less urgency than someone buying a house, so they are prone to fall out of escrow more easily.

Some are real… needle in a haystack though 

That's a LOT less work than finding the needle in a haystack. 

One offs in tertiary markets can be very high IRR over 5 years at a 1-4M range for example but it’s a bit of a needle and haystack thing.

Thus meaning the wholesaler has to work vigorously to find that needle in a haystack seller who would not know the value of their property if it slapped them in the face.Note: Typically this must all take place in 30 days or less and the wholesalers marking reach is limited to sites like craigslist.In order for a Real Estate Agent/Broker to earn a paycheck they can:Meet an extremely motivated seller.Meet a semi motivated seller.Meet a seller who is just kicking the tires.Note: When working with a seller the listing the agent typically has 6 months or more to sell the property and their marketing includes use of the MLS which incentivises thousands of other real estate agents to show their clients the home.

needle in a haystack.. suggest you get with a good broker and find a cute house to buy..

Others look for a needle in the haystack to deny the loan. 

Warning however that when you search, it will be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

The market in my area is saturated with plenty of would be flippers, and getting the proper connections to get a non-MLS deal is a needle in a haystack.