When I am older and unable or unwilling to actively search for deals, I will get one or two people that have the same work ethic as me and give them a wholesale fee greater than what they would likely get from another investor. 

They consist of, for the most part, folks who are either underwater (short sale required) or in denial of their circumstances (hoping for the best and unwilling to sell).

(I try to make it clear to the agent that in also soliciting their client I'm not trying to put them on hook to spend marketing money unwillingly, since I'd be giving them a free sample.)Office visits - I've driven around to local real estate offices, dropping off flyers for the agents in the office offering the free sample.

In the couple of cases where the property wasn't yet handed off to be listed with an agent, the lender was even willing to offer the property for sale (but they were rather unwilling to negotiate on price).

As of the moment my mother is unwilling to hire a management company so I am trying to step in to fill the gap as best as possible.

Sometimes people are unwilling to realize a poor investment and cut their losses.

hi ellen. i can answer your last question. whenever a bank or other lending institution starts a foreclosure, they have to file papers with the county in which the house is in. go to the county court house and look up the papers filed on this house and/ or person. it will list the bank that is involved. but, it sounds like you have an unwilling owner here. usually, you can out right ask the owner who the bank is and they will answer you. they will have numerous letters from the bank and how to contact them about it. most mortgages have the " due on sale clause" in the original contract. so, if the owner sells to you, the bank has the right to call in the loan then and there, which means for you, you could find yourself paying up the entire mortgage just to keep the house. good luck to you

If they are unwilling to consider any of your options, then you can refer them to a great agent for great service!

Paul, Twin Cities.Ok, now that is out of the way...One thing I've observed through my marketing efforts is that nearly every Asian caller I work with is unwilling to allow me to ask some clarifying questions about their property.They call me back and say, "How much you pay my house?"

The bank is unwilling to turn anything on for my inspector to test.