Some of the methods listed below for real estate investors are tried & proven, creative and free or low-cost. As real estate investors, some of the leads or lists below may have a small cost or commission  associated with them or a “pay for a successful referral” quid-pro-quo type of situation if you close on a real estate deal obtained from one of these sources.

Looking for new ideas to market for motivated sellers?   Pick and choose the ones you like, and go to town…

• Accountants and CPA Firms: They have clients with financial problems where an investor can be of help.

• Attorneys: Attorneys know when people need money, often to pay their fees! Not just probate but divorce, family law and real estate attorneys.

• Auctions: Do your homework in advance. Auctions move very fast and a single mistake can be costly. Visit your local auction a few times to just observe. Know values and repair costs before bidding.

• Apparel with Logos: Hats, T-Shirts, Golf Shirts, Hand Bags

• Bird Dogs: These people can be very valuable to your business. It is important to know your local laws about compensating unlicensed people, however, so do your homework first!

• “Blue Tarp” Houses: often blue tarps on roofs signify major roof damage.  Contact the owner to see if they want to sell the property.

• Builders Models: Frequently builders will sell a model home at a discount.

• Car & Truck Loans: Some folks would rather keep the wheels than a roof over their head. Buy here, pay here dealers can be a good lead source.

• Car Repos: If the car is going the house isn’t far behind.

• Carpet Cleaners: Many of their customers are preparing a house for sale.

• Charitable Groups: Frequently receive gifts of real estate, but they’d rather have the cash.

• City & County Inspectors: Code violations and red tags. If you develop a reputation of buying distressed properties and improving them, you become an asset to the community.

• Condemned Houses: Many counties will provide you a free list.

• Consumer Loan Companies: When their loans go bad they are frequently willing to deal rather than foreclose.

• Courts: Eviction Filings, Probate, Divorce Cases, Tax Liens, Code Violations

• Credit Repair Agencies & Counselors: Many times the only way someone can get their spending under control is to sell a house they can no longer afford.

• Estate Sales – often the real estate will also be available and perhaps with owner financing

• Eviction Court: great place to find landlords

• Expired Listings: Connect with an investor friendly Realtor

• Farming Local Areas: Become the local neighborhood expert.

• Friends: “Do you know anyone who wants to sell?” Most people know two people who will be buying or selling a home this year.

• Funeral Homes: Can be a good lead source before information on a decedent becomes public.

• Garage Sales: Are they moving?

• Hair Salons: Lots of talking going on during hair cuts!

• Home Builders: Need to sell their buyer’s houses so they can close on the new place.

• HUD Foreclosures: Internet: Rent Clicks, EBay, Craigslist, Wholesale Sites, Lead Services, USLeaseOption.com

• Insurance Brokers: Policy changes from owner occupant to landlord or vacant house coverage.

• Investor Packages: Investors who are ready to retire and cash out their portfolio. May be able to negotiate seller financing as well as a discount.

• Judgments: Check the public record or hire someone to do it for you.

• Large Employers: Let them know you buy properties so if they need to transfer an employee, they don’t get stuck carrying the house. This can be good for renting executive properties for short-term transfers, too.

• Lenders: , Private Lenders, Hard Money Lenders

• Liened Properties: Mechanics Liens, HOA Liens, Tax Liens

• Market Bulletin Boards: Grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurants

• Military Transfers: Military bases provide an excellent transient market for those needing to sell and buy off- base housing

• Mobile Homes: Get to know park managers. Banks don’t like mobile homes but they can become little cash cows.

• Nursing & Retirement Homes: Frequently residents need to sell a house.

• Pizza Boxes: many sell advertising or sponsorship spots

• Postman: Same as the newspaper carriers- they know the neighborhoods well and could act as a bird dog for you.

• Relocations: Great for Subject-to or buying on lease option

• Rental Agents & Property Managers: Let them know you want to buy and also find a local manager. You buy, they manage…win/win!!

• Retirees: A growing population with free and clear homes. Excellent prospects for seller financing.

• Section 8 Landlords: Each county maintains a list

• Structural Damage: Once you know what you’re doing, you can buy at a rock bottom pricing.

• Tax Deed Sale Properties: These do not come with title insurance so do your home work.

• Title Companies: Not all transactions close like they are supposed to. Let the title companies know you can help in a pinch, for the right price.

• Trading Up: Trade your newly renovated property at retail for a property down the block that you can buy wholesale. Try a sign that says “Will Take Your House In Trade”

• TV and Radio: Cable companies may have community service spots for free.

• Withdrawn MLS Listings: Easy to get from a friendly real estate agent.

So there ya have it!  If you’ve been scratching your head trying to think of new ways to market for motivated sellers- this should get you going in the right direction!