10 Ways to find HOT real estate investment deals (some are even zero down).

photo: nancyarora2020

Every real estate investor is looking for some awesome deals. There are so many ways to find them, but you have to know what you are doing. Many investors say they can’t get deals off the MLS, or Realtors don’t know what they are doing, or motivated sellers are to hard to find. I disagree with all of them! Much of it really does depend on where you are, and what the market is like, but I’d be willing to bet that all of these techniques are being used in your area by various investors. This will help you:

1. REO listings on the MLS. Yes, many of them sell they day they get listed, and plenty sell even before they become public. So what? I get deals all the time that make it public, and make great money on them. The key is to check them out right away, and put in a cash offer with no contingencies. You won’t get them all, so just write a ton of offers. Expect 1 out of 10 in a slower market, and even as low as 1 out of 100 in a hot market.
2. Probate sales. Find sellers that inherited a house. This is public record. Do the research, contact the owners.
3. Pre-foreclosure. Again, public record. Find people losing their homes. Maybe you can get the payments caught up and take over their loan. Maybe they have equity but didn’t move forward and try to sell it. Buy it! There is a lot of opportunity here.
4. Local landlords. See a lot of vacancies, or a property that got trashed? Maybe the landlord is fed up and wants to dump the place. Call them and see.
5. Out of state owners. I see this all the time. A  property owner moves out of state for a job. Now they have to manage a long term rental. Do you think this is fun for them? Call them up and see how you can help out. This will make you money, and get rid of their “baggage”.
6. Short sale are everywhere. For sale by owner, MLS listings, pre-foreclosures, and more. If you can take the time to learn to negotiate short sales, you have TONS of properties to look at.
7. Know anyone getting divorced? Often times the home gets sold, and both parties want it sold FAST. Talk to divorce attorneys. They can give you leads.
8. City or Counties. Check your local city or county websites, or give them a call. It is not uncommon for them to own land or houses for various reasons. Most of the time they want to sell it. In certain areas it is not well publicized, so you may get the HOT deals that others don’t even know about.
9. Tax auctions. In my area, several counties have tax auctions each year. You will be surprised how many people lose homes over $1,500 in back taxes! Many times these are low income areas, and I’d be willing to guess a lot of the properties have been inherited and the new owner just never paid taxes. It’s worth a look. I have seen some awesome deals.
10. Land contracts / owner financing. Many times in a tough market, desperate sellers will hold the financing. I actually purchased a home zero down, and even had the seller loan funds to do the repairs. These kinds of deals are out there if you are looking for them. I still own that property!

There you go, ten ways to find some awesome investment deals. Now I need to write an article that tells you exactly how to start searching for them! Go out there and start looking. It is not that hard, and the deals really are there. If you find something awesome, but can’t close on it, email me! justin@razmusteam.com.