You can get leads from people that have previously asked for help to stop foreclosure.Do an email and telemarketing campaign to these people to find deals.The leads will cost $0.50 - $1 each depending on the age of the lead.The call script is quite a bit different on this type of lead.

hello The fact that you are already making plans to pursue your career at thte age of 16...I would have to say that you would be just fine without a real estate degree. the information is the same, whether you learn it in a formal classroom setting, or from books/internet sites.An RE degree would allow you to bypass the real estate class and sit for the broker's/Sale's associate exam.

I am only 25 so I'm sure that my age has something to do with it, but I'm having a hard time justifying traditional marketing such as door knocking, mail campaigns, etc.

The fact that you have been able to save up a sizable chunk of money at a young age is great.

Additionally, depending on it's age if is classified as a mobile, which I doubt, it will hit a bottom value and stop depreciating at some point in time. 

@Ashley Zhang There are definitely other strategies besides "driving for dollars" that can give you good results.Targeting demographics - buy a list of properties of elderly owners (60+ years of age), who do not live in the property and have owned it for at least 10 years;For sale by owners (Zillow, Craigslist, FSBO.com, etc.) - even if you can get them down a few thousands you can assign the contract for a fee - a lot of FSBOs do not know how to market or sell their properties;MLS - you can use the MLS to locate properties to wholesale or flip, but you have to do it a certain way, which can be harder for a beginner;and several others, but this is a start for you.

@Kaylah Hennen  You're the right age to try the house hacking method if you don't mind room mates.

Some folks leave when their kids reach school age.

Here are some details followed by some pictures.Yr Built: 1975Sq Ft: 22503 BR / 2 BA.75 acresEasy highway access in top school district in the area Asking Price: $126,000ARV: $205,000House on the same block from same year and same size / configuration sold for $205,000 18 months agoKey Issues:- Foundation - common in this part of texas for this age. 

I going to assume that you still need to work and you know that $500K is not enough money to retire as of yet at your young age.