Did you find more info about it than whats here: http://www.megaeveningevent.com/real-estate-clubs/tx.php RE is a team sport... no matter what method of investing you seek to use.

It could be tricky though fielding calls from yellow letters, speaking to someone as though we "pay cash and can close quickly" and then deciding that I want to buy it outright and use bank financing.Does anyone have any suggestions or insight on either using bank financing or other creative methods to purchase a primary residence at a wholesale price?

All, I've adapted my investing strategy a bit, and am no longer focusing on bird-dogging.

I thought I'd throw that out there to let people know the method is alive and still very efficient. 

I'm guessing that method is very popular amongst seasoned investors - but they would/should only be looking to do that if their anticipated profits on top of their higher interest repayments are STILL as good as their 'normal' mortgaged ones ie.

If that definition of market value is met, you never buy under market value, the price you paid is the market value.Distressed sales may be from the motivation of the owner, the property condition, it may be under performing or there are issues of obsolescence, functional or external.Cure the matter that effects the property, mismanagement, condition, functionality or obsolescence.Going the route Chris mentioned can be done, it's not guaranteed as an over night method as it may take time to achieve a record that can be shown in the market and there will also be more emphasis on the management ability of the borrower.

I currently make my living as a graphic designer and I'm looking to real estate as a method to better myself financially—but most importantly I want to create more time to spend with family and friends.I want to start out with wholesaling to build some cash, just not sure what area I want to focus on i.e.

Although there are many methods or ways to invest they all take some of your time from one degree to another.  

In the beginning stages of raising funds for a student housing development project, but am curious to know what are the different methods investors are paid.

One method that i have heard of is working with probate attorneys, another is looking at court records and tracking next of kin.