., I would need to approach their lender (with a signed release) and ask if they would take $75,000. rather than go through a foreclosure?

That is the spray and pray approach.  

I have basically used my income and savings to fund these deals plus the holding costs, and even though I can take my time and have the rehab/s completed at a leisurely pace or so, that is the slow-slow approach and isn't quite the plan I had in mind from the beginning.  

@Arthur Fuller II I have tried the door knocking approach here in San Diego, but my intention in doing it was more focused on the value of the experience rather than getting a "deal".  

Great place to start is the blog, podcasts and webinars.A more hands on approach for networking is your local REIA.I cannot speak on behalf of any other organization other than Southern CT REIA.

That is a great approach, however you may need a good Realtor and mortgage broker on your side.  

This approach weeds out the tenants you don't want and reduces the number of bogus showings (e.g. people just tire kicking).  

@Rose Davis your best bet is to approach an investor who you can bring value too.

That approach works well for us.

As a bird dog, you wouldn't necessarily approach the seller - that's your buyer's job.As a wholesaler, you can only make claims that you know your buyer can fulfill.