The Top 9 Ways To Find Off-Market Real Estate Opportunities

Even as interest rates decrease and more homes make their way onto the market, real estate competition is still fierce, making it challenging to secure the perfect property (or leads, if you're an agent).

But what if you could bypass the competition entirely?

Finding off-market properties gives you the advantage of negotiating before properties hit the open market. Whether you're an investor, agent, or somewhere in between, these hidden opportunities can help you secure better prices and leads and access exclusive properties.

Let's explore 10 proven strategies for finding off-market real estate opportunities.

1. Pre-Foreclosures 

Pre-foreclosures are homes in which the owners have missed mortgage payments, and the lender has issued a notice of default threatening to foreclose on the property.

Investors can help homeowners avoid foreclosure by purchasing the property before the bank officially forecloses while agents can help homeowners sell for the highest return. 

Related: What Is the Difference Between Foreclosure and Pre-foreclosure?

2. Hold an FSBO Workshop

For those who know how to sell a home, offering an FSBO (for-sale-by-owner) workshop is a great way to identify sellers before they list their homes.

Provide high-value, actionable advice for your attendees. You might just meet your next lead!

3. Real Estate Brokers

Real estate brokers have a finger on the pulse of the market. They often hear about future listings long before they hit the market.

Become the first one to know of new real estate activity by nurturing your relationships with various local brokers.

4. Divorce Attorneys

Divorce can be a difficult experience, and unfortunately, it often leads to selling the family home. During this process, divorce attorneys may become aware of potential listings early, as their clients work through the terms of separation before deciding to put the home on the market.

As a real estate pro, adding divorce attorneys to your network offers the opportunity to help homeowners move on to their next chapter while obtaining new business potential.

5. Estate Agents

Estate agents can be a valuable source of off-market real estate deals, as they often assist families in handling the affairs of a recently deceased loved one.

While it’s important to approach these situations with sensitivity, a swift sale can sometimes offer relief to grieving families, helping them settle debts and move forward during a difficult time. By adding estate agents to your network, you can be the one to help these grieving family members and take the responsibility of a sale off their plates.

6. Wholesalers

Wholesalers get off-market properties under contract and then sell the rights to the purchase contract to a buyer for a finder’s fee.

With extensive networks of real estate contacts, wholesalers often have the inside scoop on upcoming listings. Let them do some of the leg work for you!

7. Contractors and Builders

Contractors and builders naturally know of new listings long before they hit the market, as they’re called in early to consult on renovations or new builds.

Networking with contractors and builders can get you leads on off-market deals that will be turnkey upon completion. You could even buy in early enough to influence the project's completion.

8. Flippers and Property Managers

Large-scale flippers and property managers have multiple properties in their portfolios at any given time that they plan to rehab and put back on the market in the near future. Take the time to get to know these industry insiders for tips on off-market real estate leads. 

9. Vacant Properties

Why not reach out to owners of vacant properties to see if they're willing to sell?

With PropStream’s filtering tools, you can generate a list of vacant properties in your target neighborhoods in seconds. Plus, our built-in skip-tracing feature lets you contact these owners directly by phone, email, or postcard.