Are Off-Market Deals Still Worth Chasing?

[Frankie Vozzi]

Off-market used to feel like a cheat code.

Now:

• More competition
• Sellers are more educated
• Margins tighter

But the investors still winning seem to:

• Move fast
• Have funding lined up
• Know their numbers cold

I’m curious are off-market deals still your main focus in 2026?

[Travis Goodwin]

Yes, but only if you’re disciplined.

Off-market isn’t dead. Lazy off-market is dead.

The edge now isn’t just “finding the seller.” It’s:

Knowing your numbers fast
Having buyers/funding ready
Understanding the seller’s real motivation
Making clean offers without chasing fantasy ARVs

A lot of people are losing because they’re still comping emotionally or banking on thin margins. I’d rather lose a deal than buy wrong.

For me, off-market still matters because the best opportunities usually come from conversations before the property becomes public.

But the game in 2026 is tighter:

Conversations = contracts.
Bad numbers = expensive lessons.