My guys would simply knock on the door and start a conversation.

The school of Hard Knocks should be accredited!

If you're the adventurous type you can go to a prospective neighborhood and knock on doors (take your cards with you!)

A lot of good, stable, hardworking people got taken out or (in our case) knocked WAY back down the ladder through the actions of Wall Street and the housing crisis and because of the way credit works, with its decade-long penalties, even if you just had one big crisis,and got back to work/repayment, those people won't realistically be able to re-enter home ownership for another 3-5 years.  

Try the good old knock and talk approach

So, I distress by keeping a running to-do list, and in knock as much out as I can every day.

Each deal must stand on its own merits, appearance matters and is a reflection on your integrity and fair dealing.My approach may have something to do with never losing money in a L/O deal or losing any law suit, I've had sabers rattled at me before, but never lost......knock on wood!

I've called with county and made certain that nothing for tax sale has been started.We've done a "door knock" campaign to attempt contact with the borrower. 

You generally need some money for marketing, but you can start with driving for dollars, knocking on doors & cold calling.Hattie

I found his address in spite of it being unlisted and I decided to knock on his door and take the risk of spooking him out rather than lose my momentum.