How to Find Off Market Properties
Especially if you’ve just recently started investing in real estate, you might be wondering where and how to find off market properties. Truth be told, although these properties are not exactly for sale, they’re some of the hottest and quickest selling investments around.
Of course, it isn’t easy to find these properties. It takes time, effort, and skills, too! But if you’re truly into real estate investing, then this is worth it. When you finally learn where you can find these off market properties, you will certainly have an edge over other investors.
What is an Off-Market Property?
Before learning how to find off market properties, it’s best to first learn what an off-market property is.
Investopedia describes off-market properties as properties that are for sale, but not listed. You won’t them on Zillow, Realtor, or any other popular real estate marketplace.
Sometimes, an off-market property is not for sale. However, investors and real estate agents find ways to buy that property.
Reasons a Property is Off Market
If a property is truly for sale, why won’t owners list them? Why are they off the market? Reasons vary.
Mashvisor shares that the primary reason would be privacy. The seller might be in a difficult personal or financial situation and would rather keep the sale private. Sellers who are in high-profile positions also prefer their privacy.
They also mentioned the harsh reality that sabotaging sales is always possible because of difficult neighbors.
However, there are also benefits of going off the market, such as the following:
- There’s less competition since there are fewer listings compared to public marketplaces.
- You can enjoy an easier real estate transaction since you won’t have to deal with competing buyers and/or sellers.
- You can save a lot of time, and possibly money. More often than not, sellers of off-market properties want to dispose of the property as quickly as possible. This may mean discounted prices.
How to Find Off Market Properties, Where to Keep Your Focus
If you want to find off market properties, you need to skip all popular marketplaces. If a property is listed there, they’re not off market. Although it isn’t exactly easy to find these real estate properties, it’s not impossible and not as difficult as it seems.
Real Estate Agents
Real estate agents usually have a list of buyers and sellers. These sellers would give them information about properties that they have for sale for the agent to find a buyer. Sometimes, they give instructions not to list the property because they want it sold privately.
Also, some buyers come up to real estate agents to ask them about a property that’s not for sale. These agents, with their drive to make a sale and commission, may try to reach out to the owner and proactively offer to sell their property.
Direct Mail Marketing or Contact the Owner Directly
If there’s a specific property you want to buy and it’s currently not advertised, you can try reaching out to the owner. Ideally, you can write them a letter as to not seem too aggressive versus giving them a call right away. Although they may not have considered selling yet, if the offer seems attractive enough, they might just give in. Some buyers would just call the owner as this can get you a quicker response.
If you do not know who the property owner is, you may check county and public records to find the information.
Ask Local Contractors
Local contractors such as builders and roofers are usually hired by property owners directly. More often than not, they hear about plans of selling the property in the future. They also know the ins and outs of a property and would know very well if it’s a good buy should the owner consider selling. Reach out to these contractors and they might just give you great leads.
Call Us for the Best Off Market Real Estate Deals
Hopefully, the above tips have given you some great ideas on how to find off market properties that you can invest in. You have to know though that the process can be long and tedious. But we are here to help.
Land Soar works hard to acquire properties, on-market and off-market, all over the United States at a wholesale price. When you buy these properties through Land Soar, we pass on all the savings to you! And there’s no need for a middleman anymore. We have plenty of off market properties for sale including cheap land, vacant lots for sale, rural land for sale, and so much more. We can also help you sell your property. Call us at 386-200-5001 for inquiries!