End of year question for active investors

End of year question for active investors

Specialist · Member since 2025 · 82 posts · 31 votes

As we wrap up the year, I’m curious:

What was the biggest lesson you learned this year when it came to sourcing deals?

Was it:

  • needing more consistent off-market outreach

  • realizing lead quality matters more than volume

  • follow-up being the real bottleneck

  • or that the market punished anyone who didn’t buy right?

I’ve been seeing a lot of experienced investors adjust their acquisition strategies this year, especially in competitive Midwest and Sunbelt markets.

Would love to hear what worked for you, and what you’re planning to do differently going into the new year.

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Mechanicsburg, PA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9mo

@Sara Joe  I use over 20 different acquisition methods including foreclosures, off market, probate, tax sales, and other problem properties like title issues or physical issues like fire, smoke, ice, and water damaged.  I'm always a buyer and always a selling no matter the market cycle. I've even bought flood zone properties but don't recommend it.

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  • Mechanicsburg, PA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9mo

    This year we bought 3 new builds with below market fixed rate financing of up to 30 years, bought houses from HUD, Sheriff Sale, Tired landlords, and several from MLS. There is no problem finding properties to buy, below market prices or below market interest rates.

    • Specialist · Member since 2025 · 82 posts · 31 votes
      9mo
      Quote from @David Krulac:

      This year we bought 3 new builds with below market fixed rate financing of up to 30 years, bought houses from HUD, Sheriff Sale, Tired landlords, and several from MLS. There is no problem finding properties to buy, below market prices or below market interest rates.

      Great insight, David. Sounds like you were able to stay active by being flexible on acquisition channels rather than relying on just one source.

      Out of curiosity, do you feel those opportunities were more timing-based (right deal at the right moment), or did you have a consistent system that helped surface those below-market deals?

      Always interesting to hear what actually worked on the ground.

  • Mechanicsburg, PA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9mo

    @Sara Joe  I use over 20 different acquisition methods including foreclosures, off market, probate, tax sales, and other problem properties like title issues or physical issues like fire, smoke, ice, and water damaged.  I'm always a buyer and always a selling no matter the market cycle. I've even bought flood zone properties but don't recommend it.

    • Specialist · Member since 2025 · 82 posts · 31 votes
      9mo
      Quote from @David Krulac:

      @Sara Joe  I use over 20 different acquisition methods including foreclosures, off market, probate, tax sales, and other problem properties like title issues or physical issues like fire, smoke, ice, and water damaged.  I'm always a buyer and always a selling no matter the market cycle. I've even bought flood zone properties but don't recommend it.

      That makes a lot of sense, David — especially the point about staying a buyer regardless of the market cycle. It sounds less like relying on “one funnel” and more like having a repeatable framework that lets you evaluate opportunity wherever it shows up.

      Out of curiosity, with that many acquisition channels in play, what’s been the biggest limiter lately — volume of qualified leads, time to properly underwrite, or just filtering signal from noise?

      Really appreciate you sharing real-world experience here

  • Mechanicsburg, PA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9mo

    The current limiter is only my self limiting.  One year I bought and sold a total of 74 properties, I will never attempt to meet that number again.  I've changed my buy box to only SF detached LT rentals with 3 br, 2+ baths and 2 car garage built since year 2000.  And selling everything that doesn't meet that criteria. I'm selling all townhouses, semi-detached, condos, multi-units, vacant land and anything built before year 2000.  No more lead based paint, no more asbestos, no more aluminum wiring, no more pre code buildings. 

    • Specialist · Member since 2025 · 82 posts · 31 votes
      9mo
      Quote from @David Krulac:

      The current limiter is only my self limiting.  One year I bought and sold a total of 74 properties, I will never attempt to meet that number again.  I've changed my buy box to only SF detached LT rentals with 3 br, 2+ baths and 2 car garage built since year 2000.  And selling everything that doesn't meet that criteria. I'm selling all townhouses, semi-detached, condos, multi-units, vacant land and anything built before year 2000.  No more lead based paint, no more asbestos, no more aluminum wiring, no more pre code buildings. 


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