I do know a few years ago people had issues with them doing hard pulls and was false advertising but it seems that they have gotten much better.

Online advertisements are the best in my judgement; Craigslist, Postlets and Rentlinx (I would put an ad up on all three).

I get the two updates daily on current business issues as well as weekly digital issue.

I have seen a few out there but they all come across like pyramid scams or an advertisement for the next most expensive conference. 

I thought about contacting/calling the owners of 20-50 properties advertised on finn and present them the idea of ownerfinancing.

Curb appeal, more advertising, touch up the property, incentives, double check market rent.

The large wholesalers spend minimum 5 digits in hot markets where the profits are good like SoCal... one deal is so profitable like you've experienced that people ramp up the marketing efforts.Buying at 90% ARV from delusional sellers when hot foreign money that needs to be laundered is flooding your market makes profitability difficult and wastes a lot of time chasing the deals that everyone sees on MLS.Our company partnered up with a company that gets their lists in a more unique fashion than what is typically mentioned here and offer that to our clients for their mailing so they get better responses.It's better to dominate in a smaller market, than be a small fish in a competitive market is what I believe and what others have said as well in the podcasts.Even though our company offers direct mail and I've hooked people up, I think you need to re-visit your strategy and think about what you can do differently to improve the quality of your lists before mailing.

@Tee Allen Go to craigslist and call all landlords that are advertising vacancies.

That being said, It took me 7 years to accumulate my SFH portfolio and costs thousands of dollars in advertising ( bandit signs, postcards, internet, etc..)

In southern California, there are deals with very low single digit cap rates advertised, and the true rate is even lower.....