During that drive we made 7 phone calls (+/-2 as it was two weeks ago.)

Drive the area looking for signs, look on craigslist and anywhere else where rentals are advertised in your area.

We have a very high majority of renters and we have a severe house shortage, Geneva population has a growth of 8% for the last 5 years with only a 3% growth of the houses number, it's a political issue since most construction projet in Switzerland are approved in 2-3 month when in Geneva it's 2-3 years....

If you go to a house that you found by driving by or someone answering an ad in a newspaper - someone you don't really know and when there are no others involved in the relationship (Realtors, on-MLS, etc.), do you ever worry when you're walking around inspecting the place?

I have planned a drive by for this evening to pass through the neighborhood and have requested the financial information from the investor in addition to asking why she's wanting to unload it in the first place.

We even talk to neighbors, drive the neighborhood in the evening, Google searches.Now you don't want to go in guns blazin' but be cool and play detective.

It's a drive, but the events are free.

I know I'm getting jumped on by some, so let me add, there are some very good folks in mobile homes, they have the money to drive new cars, take care of the place and are neat as a pin, but that's not the majority view.A million dollar mobile home spot is not from the value of the home but the location.

You could also try driving through the parks looking for "for rent" signs and/or talking with the park manager.

Figured since I was in the neighborhood (it was 5 minutes from the Men's meeting) I'd drive by and make sure it was a house and hood I liked.