I have tried reaching out to several listing agents that say the seller is motivated or that seller financing is available and they either never reply or they have terms that require a large down payment of 20%+.

What are your life changing books and videos? 

Used to do my own courthouse research, but that's now ancient history.I use direct mail and then field the callbacks I get from the interested parties (motivated note sellers).

If you’re self motivated and enjoy working at your own pace go the online route.

As for a brown bathroom...well, it’s motivational?

I am meeting with a seller tomorrow to look and walk through a rental property that he is very motivated to sell.

Find motivated sellers to get properties at below market values so everything cash flows.

I would very much like to place an ad on Craigslist for motivated sellers.

Fined motivated seller that would belling to sell you a small MFR with no money down.you will need to find someone that is a tired landlord and they would want to receive income but not be involved in the day to day management of the property / tenants. 

I bought a $140,000 single family home a few years ago to live in and I have been reading real estate books and I am motivated to get started.