How to Find Real Estate Deals (Beginner-Friendly Guide)

Two Investor Types: Tortoises and Cheetahs

Real estate investors often fall into two main categories:

• Tortoises: These investors do 1–6 deals a year. They usually move slower, work part-time, and focus on safer, more personal deals.

• Cheetahs: These investors move fast, aiming for 10–100 deals yearly. They treat real estate like a full-time business, often using teams and systems.

No matter which type you are, the goal is the same. Build a steady flow of real estate deals. To do that, you need a clear plan and the right tools.

Beginner Real Estate Deal Strategies (Level 101)

Want to see these strategies in action? Watch the video below for a quick walkthrough on how to find real estate deals step-by-step.

This level is perfect for beginners or part-time investors who want to build skills without spending too much upfront.

Use Public Listing Platforms to Find Deals

Start with an online platform like DealMachine, a great place to find active listings. Even though many investors overlook listed homes, they still make up over 90% of available properties.

You can stand out by being the first to make an offer or the last one to follow up after others have walked away.

Connect With Local Deal Finders and Wholesalers

One of the top real estate wholesaling tips is to build a network of people who already find deals:

• Get on wholesalers' lists to hear about off-market properties first

• Reach out to commercial agents who come across small deals they don’t want

• Talk to residential agents who have hidden or pocket listings

Track and Follow Up With Motivated Seller Leads

Use a simple system to track motivated seller leads. These are owners more likely to sell fast. Follow up with calls, emails, or mail.

This step is often where deals are won.

Targeted Real Estate Deal Tactics (Level 201)

Now that you’ve learned the basics, it’s time to take a more focused approach.

Launch a Driving for Dollars Campaign

Look for distressed homes. These are signs of motivated sellers.

With a driving for dollars campaign, you drive through target neighborhoods, pin problem properties in an app like DealMachine, and follow up by mail, calls, or door knocking.

Build and Market to a Motivated Buy Box List

Define exactly what kind of property you want. For example:

• 2–3 bedroom houses

• Under $400k ARV

• Located in Indiana

• Built before 2000

Once you know your criteria, you can create a targeted list of 1,000 to 2,000 homeowners. This lets you send multiple messages like letters, ads, or calls to the right people without spending too much.

High-Volume Real Estate Deal Systems (Level 301)

This level is for full-time investors who want to grow fast and are ready to spend more on marketing.

Invest in Paid Lead Generation Channels

You’ll need a monthly budget of around $3,000 to $5,000 for tools like:

• Websites and landing pages for seller leads

• Radio ads to reach homeowners

• Large direct mail campaigns

• Paid ads on social media or Google

The goal here is to generate enough leads to keep a team busy. That way, your business keeps growing without slowing down.

Choose Between Fix-and-Flip or Buy-and-Hold

Now it’s time to decide:

• Fix and flip for short-term profit

• Buy and hold to grow rental income and long-term wealth

There’s no wrong choice, but your systems and budget should match your goal.

You Don’t Have to Go Big to Win

You don’t need to close dozens of deals a year to be successful. Many part-time investors build real wealth over time by doing a few smart deals each year. Staying small can even be your edge.

Sellers trust a real person more than a big business.

By staying hands-on, you build real connections and a strong reputation. That can lead to better deals and long-term success.

Final Thoughts

Finding great real estate deals isn’t about luck. It’s about having the right plan. Whether you’re starting small or aiming big, the key is to stay consistent.

Use tools like DealMachine, build strong seller lists, and focus on motivated leads.

Even if you only do a few deals a year, that’s enough to create real results. You don’t need to rush. Just learn the steps, take action, and grow at your own pace. The more you practice, the easier it gets. Keep learning, keep connecting, and soon you’ll be finding deals others miss.

Your real estate journey starts now. Make it count.