But for someone who doesn't have that access, it is like trying to find a needle in a hay stack. 

There are still a few needles in the haystack of private sellers, but they are getting harder to find.

I have bought a lot of liens "over the counter" that were quite good, but you are looking for a needle in the haystack.

I would assume all non-judicial states are going to be either tight or tighter than their judicial counterparts, which means if you want note deals that are neither one in a million nor a needle in a haystack, you’re probably left with judicial states.  

Wow...talk about a needle in a hay stack!

Let them buy the big bulk stuff and you look for the needles into he haystacks.

You would really need to find a needle in a haystack to find a good deal on buying properties close to the college.

It takes no money to get started looking for these needles in the haystack.

Finding an agent off the street isn't going to be easy to do if you want to find one that understand working with investors especially one that is looking to be creative.For the most part you MIGHT be able to find one that way to buy mediocre rentals off the MLS with large down payments and conventional financing, but past that it is more of a needle in a haystack situation.You will have much better luck going to some of the local meetings and talking to agents there.

It feels like looking for needle in a haystack.