My first question is what do I say to the listing agent on my approach ?

I wanted to know from those seasoned in direct mail campaigns, what the best approach is for reaching the off market deals.

My uncles is a long time REI; his advise to me when I was starting out was to go to the events and learn what their approach is and how they go about it.

Regardless of my missing it, that is incredible man!

To make it easy I'd approach Domain Homes or another builder and see what they might offer you just to get an idea of what they would pay.

Would i be better off utilizing another approach, such as being a private lender??

I've watched countless videos on YouTube with Grant Cardone and many other big time real estate investors but I'm still in that stage where I feel like I don't quite know enough to approach my first deal confidently.

While some of what you said as it relates to the mechanics of the unit is a little over my head at the moment, that information was incredibly helpful and I will keep it in mind as I move forward! 

I'm a small fish and new at this too but the exponential growth in my knowledge is incredible.

@Dion McNeeley That was how I approached it too from the business perspective, but didn't know if any contractors would disagree.