New to Real Estate · Baltimore Md · Member since 2026 · 1 post · 1 vote
I'm a young African man ambitious to beginning to start building wealth 24 years old I'm from Baltimore City live a crazy lifestyle but had a accident happened to me ima tbi survivor balance issues but no excuses I do what I can to get better accident happened when I was 17 story short got 2 kids now can't go back only forward looking into wholesaling ,bird dogging getting my credit back on track ,networking with reia but can't figure it out point me in the right direction to begin
Wholesaler · Charleston WV · Member since 2026 · 233 posts · 124 votes
2mo
Welcome, Omar. First, I respect your mindset.
If I could give you one piece of advice, it would be this: don't try to learn everything at once. Pick one market, learn one lead generation method, and stay consistent with it. Wholesaling isn't about knowing every strategy. It's about having conversations with homeowners every day and taking action.
Keep networking at your local REIA, ask questions, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone starts at zero.
Wishing you the best. Stay consistent, and keep moving forward.
Real Estate Broker · Atlanta · Member since 2024 · 1k+ posts · 605 votes
2mo
@Omar Jones Welcome to the BP community. We all make mistakes but choosing to be a part of this community is a good move in the right direction. Going forward, seek out and surround yourself with people who can inspire and uplift you. Keep working on rebuilding your credit, continue networking at your local REIA group, stay focused on your goals and always try to have a positive attitude. Wishing you much success on your journey.
Wholesaler · Charleston WV · Member since 2026 · 233 posts · 124 votes
2mo
Welcome, Omar. First, I respect your mindset.
If I could give you one piece of advice, it would be this: don't try to learn everything at once. Pick one market, learn one lead generation method, and stay consistent with it. Wholesaling isn't about knowing every strategy. It's about having conversations with homeowners every day and taking action.
Keep networking at your local REIA, ask questions, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone starts at zero.
Wishing you the best. Stay consistent, and keep moving forward.
I'm a young African man ambitious to beginning to start building wealth 24 years old I'm from Baltimore City live a crazy lifestyle but had a accident happened to me ima tbi survivor balance issues but no excuses I do what I can to get better accident happened when I was 17 story short got 2 kids now can't go back only forward looking into wholesaling,bird dogging getting my credit back on track,networking with reia but can't figure it out point me in the right direction to begin.
Respect for pushing forward despite everything you've been through, Omar. Bird dogging is actually a smart way to start. Low barrier to entry, and it teaches you how to spot deals before you're ready to run the whole process yourself. REIA meetups (in person if you can manage them) are usually the best place to actually meet people who'll show you the ropes rather than trying to figure it all out alone online. Wishing you good luck building this out.
Coral Springs, FL · Member since 2018 · 464 posts · 95 votes
3w
@Omar Jones — respect for pushing forward with everything on your plate. You've got the right instincts: bird dogging and wholesaling are both ways to start with zero capital.
Since you're in Baltimore, here's something that might help you get started without spending money on leads: Baltimore City has publicly searchable county databases that most investors ignore. Three specific ones:
1. Baltimore City Tax Collector — tax delinquent properties (the city already identified who can't pay their taxes — that's your starting list) 2. Baltimore City Code Enforcement — properties with violations and documented repair costs (the city inspected and put dollar amounts on what's wrong — that tells you which properties need the most work) 3. Baltimore City Clerk of Court — probate and lien filings (ownership transitions and debt)
When the same property shows up on all three lists, that's what I call converged distress — a property where the owner is tax delinquent, has code violations with documented repair costs, AND has probate or lien activity. That's maximum motivation.
For bird dogging specifically, this is gold: you can pull these lists for free, find the most distressed properties in Baltimore, and then drive by them to see the actual condition. When you find a cash buyer who wants that specific property, you bird dog the lead to a wholesaler and get paid for the connection.
The best part: this costs $0. No postcards, no cold calling software, no paid lead lists. The county already built the list for you.
Travis's advice about picking one market is spot on — you're already in Baltimore. Start with the tax delinquent list (it's the easiest to pull), cross-reference with code enforcement violations, and you'll have 10-20 converged properties in a weekend. Those are your bird dog leads.