I'm thinking that your so hyped about this whole situation and ready to jump in but just can't find the right target.

Thanks @Brian Ishikawais there a certain area that I should be targeting?  

If you are targeting buy-and-hold folks, I assume that a conventional refinance is the most likely mechanism to fund their exercise of the option - if their credit is that good, they may be less likely to use you in the first place.  

I'd love to speak with you sometime about potential deals in our market as well as others that you have targeted and what you used to determine which markets to pursue.

Based on the number of investors we know, and the market we have seen for HUD properties in Florida, we set up a "bidding machine" for investors that specifically targets HUD properties.We send weekly spreadsheets of "regions" grouped by counties.We have customized spreadsheets for each investor that tracks progress.We treat this as an actual business silo that our investor clients love, because all the heavy lifting is done.As a Real Estate Brokerage you need to:Define an opportunityDifferentiate yourself from every other competitor out thereMake it simple for your clients to do business with youShare their pain AND their joyDo whatever you can to continue to make your relationship a win/win environmentToday was an example of this strategy as we won three homes for three separate investors, and all of them are thrilled.

I wish I would have started investing when I was 18, the minute I was legally accepted as an adult.As far as analyzing properties goes, an easy way to start is to find a target zip code.

The Norfolk area is one that we've identified as a target market.I have a portfolio of properties in a coastal county in NC so I know that flood zones and the associated insurance can be a cash flow killer.  

I also don't think this is the best approach for an unmotivated seller, especially one with obvious ties to the property (40+ years living and managing the units).I think the lucrative offers to persuade someone who is "on the verge" or "considering" selling might be the best target audience, but that's just my opinion.

@Brie Schmidt do you have a target date/time? 

This portion of the portfolio comprises individual houses - some rented as an entire house (single lease), others by the room (multiple leases) - along with 2-4 unit properties and multi-unit buildings (we rent most of these by the unit).For us it's not an either or decision, but one of location and target clientele.