They typically search for bargains and find land which is owned by people in financial distress or who need to get cash out of their investments quickly.

Here are a few tips to help you score that first deal:Network: Join local real estate groups and online forums like BiggerPockets to connect with other investors.Find Motivated Sellers: Look for distressed properties and consider sending direct mail to homeowners facing tough situations.Research the Market: Know your area’s property values by analyzing comparable sales using sites like Zillow or Redfin.Craft Compelling Offers: Highlight the benefits of a quick sale to sellers and consider a solid earnest money deposit to show you’re serious.Market Yourself: Use social media to share your journey and post flyers in local spots to attract leads.Stay Persistent: Rejection is part of the process, so learn from it and keep refining your approach.With your big business mindset and hard work, you’ll make it happen!

It turned out to be a distressed seller who needed to offload their home quickly.

Here's an example:Buy: Find a distressed property selling below market value, often through motivated sellers, auctions, or foreclosures.

step 1 is buying a distressed property at a great price, which is really tough to do right now, and way harder than it was 5 or 10 years ago. 

In some markets, real estate investors go door-to-door and ask homeowners directly.Another option for meeting with sellers is to search for distressed properties in a neighborhood.

You can set specific criteria to spot underpriced homes, distressed properties, or anything that’s flown under the radar.I know several investors have had more luck with using water shut off lists, so while it's more work, that might be an even better approach.One thing to note is that Privy compiles real-time MLS data and integrates public records, so you’re not just getting a snapshot of the listing status but a full picture, including owner history, property condition, and any price drops over time.That said, if your focus is primarily on expired listings, I'd also suggest checking out RedX—they’re known for their niche in expireds and FSBOs.

If you dig in on the south or west side, you should be getting deals that are distressed enough to just use regular hard/bridge/private money that is expensive. 

You need to put effort into finding distress. 

While these alternatives may come with higher interest rates, the flexibility they offer such as faster closings and more lenient terms often outweighs the upfront costs, especially in fast-moving markets.For example, hard money loans can give you the ability to close quickly on distressed properties, which traditional banks may take too long to approve.