Sometimes, it’s not that the deals aren’t out there. It’s that agents don’t yet know why they should bring them to you. One thing my own property journey has taught me is that finding an opportunity is only part of the process. You also need to be ready to act when the right one comes along. I learnt this during a hotel deal in France. The price changed several times during negotiations, and I had to think carefully about the numbers and how I would fund the purchase. It reminded me how quickly things can change in property and why it pays to be prepared before an opportunity lands in your lap. I think the same principle applies when building relationships with estate agents. An agent might have several buyers looking for properties, but the people who make their job easier are often the ones who get remembered. They know what they want, understand their numbers, respond promptly and communicate clearly. If you're struggling to get agents to send you good leads, try looking at things from their side. Have you given them a clear buy box? Do they know your budget and preferred areas? Can you explain what makes a property worth pursuing for you? And when a property isn't suitable, don't simply disappear. A quick explanation helps the agent understand your criteria better and makes the next recommendation more relevant. You don't have to be the biggest buyer in their contact list. You need to give them a reason to remember you when something suitable comes up. I'd love to hear what's been most effective for you. Have clear buying criteria and consistent follow-up helped you get better opportunities?

One of the biggest frustrations in property is finding a deal that makes sense but not having the money to move on it. You can spend weeks looking for the right opportunity, only to find yourself back at square one because the funding isn’t there. But what if part of the answer wasn’t finding another investor, but building another source of income? I think this is worth considering, especially if you’re still working towards your first flip. While you’re searching for deals, you could also be building a separate pot of money through skills or services you already have. Depending on your experience and available time, that might mean freelance work, offering a service to local businesses, or taking on a small side business. The aim isn’t to spread yourself too thin. It’s to find something manageable that brings in extra income without taking your focus away from property. The important part is having a plan for that money. Set a monthly target, keep it separate from your everyday spending, and build a dedicated property fund. Over time, it could help cover due diligence, legal fees, or other upfront costs, and put you in a better position when the right deal comes along. It won’t replace the need to assess deals properly or guarantee you’ll have enough to complete a purchase, but it can give you more options and reduce your dependence on outside funding. Are you building extra income alongside your property search, or are you putting all your energy into finding investors and funding partners? The floor is open for discussions.

One thing I’ve come to appreciate about property is that finding a deal is only half the battle. Knowing what to do when an opportunity comes your way is just as important. You might have agents sending you properties, wholesalers sharing leads, and opportunities popping up every week, but if you can’t quickly tell whether the numbers make sense, you could end up wasting time on the wrong deals or overlooking a good one. Sometimes, the problem isn’t a lack of opportunities. It’s not having a clear buy box, knowing your numbers, or being confident enough to act when the right property comes along. One thing that can help is deciding your criteria before you start looking. Know your target area, the type of property you want, your maximum purchase price, and what margin you need to make the deal worthwhile. That way, when a lead comes in, you have something solid to measure it against instead of making decisions based on excitement. For those of you actively looking for deals, what tends to hold you back the most: getting good leads, working out the numbers, or making that first offer when you’re not completely sure?

One thing I’ve noticed about property is that two people can look at the same opportunity and see completely different things. One walks away because the property looks like too much work, while the other spots a way to make the numbers work. That doesn’t mean every rough-looking property is worth pursuing. The difference often comes down to knowing what to look for, having reliable information, and understanding what the property could realistically be worth after the work is done. If you’re relying on agents or wholesalers to bring you deals, it helps to make their job easier too. Be clear about your target area, property type, budget, and the numbers you need to make a deal worthwhile. When people understand exactly what you’re looking for, they can send you more relevant opportunities instead of a pile of properties that don’t fit. And when a lead does come through, don’t dismiss it just because the asking price looks high. Work backwards from your realistic resale value, renovation costs, fees, and required profit to establish your maximum offer. If the seller won’t meet your numbers, you can walk away knowing you made a sound decision. Sometimes, the opportunity isn’t in finding more properties. It’s in learning to recognize the right one. Have you ever received a lead that looked unpromising at first but turned out to have real potential once you looked deeper into the numbers? Let's hear from those of you working with agents and wholesalers.

Hello everyone, I'm Billy and am looking forward to working and learning from everyone in the community. I have recently retired from the military and moved to Jacksonville, FL for a job about a year ago. Started dipping my toes in the real estate investment and joined a couple groups but still trying to create some momentum. I partnered with another veteran and we are working to open a sober living home here in Jacksonville. I'm excited to give back where I can. My wife and I really connected with the concepts of wholesaling and have been learning as much as we can. I learned a long time ago that a team works far better than an individual and we are looking forward to learning from any and everyone.