Finding Pocket/Off-Market listings?

Question

I'm just starting out and looking into purchasing my first multi-family property here in the Bay Area, CA. I also work as a Real Estate Agent and Consultant in San Francisco. I'm wondering what are your strategies on finding off market and pocket listings? How do you find folks who are looking to sell their property?  Do you use something like list source or something similar to generate leads? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Corey King · Answer

@Russell Brazil  How would you go about finding the brokerage that is doing the most transactions?

I am currently flipping my 6th house of the year.  I have bought and sold a majority of those houses from one broker, but...yet, it seems as if they don't even care about me being a client.  I negotiated my commissions to 4.5% instead of 6% (at least I feel I am paying out less).  I have asked two of their agents about pockets listings, and they act as if they don't exist.

Is it just me, or is it this broker?

I have 3 agents (different companies) that work for me (sending me new listings, basically).  None of the properties so far were from pocket listings.  One, I bought on auction, and the others were from the MLS.

Are agents really not getting/hearing pocket listings?

Thank you for your time, Mr. Brazil!

Russell Brazil · Answer

Find out what brokerage is doing the most transactions in a given area, then find out which office of that brokerage is doing the most transactions.  They will likely have a lot of pocket listings.