I was hoping someone with some experience would be able to answer a few questions I have, such as: What kind of deal finding strategies are most efficient in areas like these?

Experience has been positive, and we've had excellent service from Kay Properties.

Here are a few to watch out for:Property Condition: Most distressed properties need extensive repairs or renovations, which add to your initial investment.Competitive Market: With Phoenix's popularity among investors, competition for the best deals can be intense.Complex Deals: Foreclosures, auctions, or short sales are much more complicated compared to regular real estate transactions and usually require specialized knowledge.Tips to Successfully Navigate the MarketDo Your Research: Understand the local market conditions, including neighborhood trends, property values, and potential rental income.Build a Strong Network: Work with professionals who specialize in distressed properties-such as brokers, contractors, and legal experts-to make the best decisions.Assess Costs Carefully: Factor in the cost of repairs, holding costs, and any potential financing issues when evaluating a property’s profitability.Be Patient: Finding the right distressed property takes time.

Many inexperienced investors pass on the deal you listed for the reasons you listed. 

In my view by doing that and making contact with persons found using the process will result in getting a lot of your questions answered.Have an Excellent 2025,Doug

Alternatively, platforms like Twilio provide excellent customization but might require more technical setup for Podio.

@Karim, I’ve been adding some properties/rental income on my Excel to see which locations would give a descent return.JLT gives good ROI, Marina does not.

If you are apprehensive of the market, and believe it will get worse before it gets better, you might consider going to cash, doing a private loan to a flipper on a project where it would be a screaming deal if you had to foreclose, and taking a look in 9 or 18 months. 

This will be an excellent home for a starter home, small family, long-term rental, and definitely a really cute AirBnB.

I'm in the process of vetting some seller financed deals for my solo401k portfolio.