How to Find Real Estate Deals at a Discount

Want to buy an investment property but don’t know where to find real estate deals? You’re in the right place! In this article, we’ll show you exactly how to find real estate deals, both by scouring online listings and identifying properties that aren’t yet listed for sale. We’ll also cover the pros and cons of each approach so you can choose the strategy that works best for you!

Summary:

• Investors find real estate deals by browsing properties already listed for sale (on-market) or by looking beyond the Multiple Listing Service (off-market).

• On-market deals are easier to find but have more competition, while off-market deals require more work but are often easier to negotiate.

• Turnkey rentals are some of the best real estate investments, as they combine the convenience of on-market properties with the discounts of off-market deals.

On-Market vs. Off-Market Real Estate Deals

There are two main approaches to finding real estate deals: on-market and off-market. Depending on your availability and skill set, you might prefer one of these strategies over the other:

On-Market Deals 

On-market deals are properties you find on Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and other listings websites. These properties have already been publicly listed “on the market” and are just waiting to sell—hence the name!

Off-Market Deals

Off-market deals are not listed for sale, so to find them, you’ll need to either network with other investors and wholesalers (people who find off-market deals for a living) or contact owners directly. Off-market deals are harder to find but often have the biggest price discounts.

How to Find Real Estate Deals

Whether you’re after on-market or off-market properties, here are some of the best ways to find real estate deals:

1. Builder-Discounted Real Estate Deals

To sell inventory faster, builders may offer discounts on their new build properties. A turnkey company like Rent to Retirement negotiates significant discounts and incentives with builders so investors can get an even better price on their next rental.

2. Direct-to-Seller Marketing 

Rather than going through an agent, you can contact homeowners directly in search of people who may be motivated to sell and negotiate significant discounts. There are several strategies investors use to achieve this:

Driving for Dollars

Driving for dollars is a strategy where investors drive around neighborhoods in search of distressed or vacant properties. Once they find a property they’re interested in, they can contact the owner and make an offer.

Cold Calling

Cold calling is a sales technique where you call a homeowner directly and inquire about their property. You’ll want to have a script, clear talking points, and a plan to follow up!

Direct Mail

Direct mail is exactly what it sounds like—building out a list of owners to contact and sending them personalized mailers to inquire about their properties.

Social Media

Occasionally, a seller will post their property on social media before the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Search Facebook Marketplace, join groups where properties are posted, or create a social media campaign that targets potential sellers.

Quickly calculate numbers on any rental property deal!

3. Pocket Listings

Agents will often present deals to their investor network before posting them live on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). This gives you a short window of time to make an offer before the property goes public, so make sure you act quickly when you get the opportunity!

4. Expired or Stale Real Estate Listings

One of the best ways to find on-market deals at a discount is to sort listings by days on market. These properties may have issues that the average homebuyer doesn’t want to deal with, but these same issues could be value-add opportunities for a smart investor. If the owner needs to sell, you may be able to negotiate a lower price!

5. Foreclosed Homes/REO Properties

You can also find discounted deals by bidding on foreclosed properties at an auction or buying real estate owned (REO) properties directly from a lender. Keep in mind that some of these properties may not qualify for conventional lending and often require a large amount of capital.

6. High-Inventory Areas

As of fall 2025, many parts of the US are experiencing high inventory levels. The higher the inventory and the lower the demand, the better chance you have of negotiating a lower price when buying a property.

7. Real Estate Wholesalers

A wholesaler finds off-market properties and acts as the middleman between the seller and buyer. By being added to their list, you’ll have off-market deals sent right to you. They’ll take a cut when you buy, but you won’t have to do all the legwork of finding properties!

Take the headache out of real estate investing with turnkey rentals! 

Should You Buy On or Off-Market?

So, does it make more sense for you to scour on-market properties or go hunting for off-market deals? Let’s look at the pros and cons of each strategy:

On-Market Property Pros

You might prefer to search the market for properties because of these advantages:

• Easier to Find: Simply pull up Zillow, Redfin, or your favorite listings website and start browsing properties in an instant!
• Easier to Finance: Most of these homes are in decent condition, so banks are more willing to provide financing for them.
• Takes Less Time: Because these properties are available online, you can browse thousands of properties for sale in one place.

On-Market Property Cons

Despite their convenience, on-market deals have a few notable downsides:

• More Competition: More people, including everyday homebuyers, use listing websites to find and buy properties.
• Higher Prices: Since listed homes are often in better condition and have more competition, buyers may drive prices up, and sellers may be less willing to budge on their asking price.
• Less Value-Add Potential: Many homes are listed in good or great condition, so there are fewer opportunities to drastically increase their value.

Off-Market Pros

Many investors prefer to hunt for off-market properties due to these benefits:

• Lower Prices: You can often buy an off-market property at a large discount, as the seller might be motivated to offload their distressed property quickly.
• Larger Equity Upside: Buying a discounted property could give you a significant amount of home equity from day one, as your mortgage may be significantly less than the property’s market value.
• Less Competition: Because an off-market property isn’t available to the public, you might be one of the only investors inquiring about it!
• Flexible Negotiations and Timelines: By going off-market, you may have a little more freedom to negotiate terms and closing timelines.

Off-Market Cons

While off-market properties offer some of the best discounts and value-add opportunities, some investors avoid them due to the following:

• Harder to Find Deals: If a homeowner hasn’t listed their property on the market, they’re probably not looking to sell, and chances are you’ll have to contact many owners before finding a deal.
• Requires More Time and Effort: Building lists, cold calling, and driving for dollars are strategies that require a significant amount of time and energy. 
• Negotiation Skills Required: Off-market deals can often be easier to negotiate, but you’ll need to have skills in this area to secure the price and terms you want.
• Higher Risk: Without involving an agent and other third parties, you could run into property issues and title problems.

Get the Best of Both!

Wish you could combine the simplicity of an on-market property and the discounts of an off-market deal? By buying turnkey, you can! Rent to Retirement has new-build turnkey rentals for sale, with exclusive builder incentives—like significant price discounts, cash back at closing, and interest rate buydowns!

The best part? These properties have already been sourced and negotiated for you, so you don’t have to go through the trouble of contacting owners and negotiating terms. Simply hop online and find the perfect turnkey property for sale at a great price!

How to Find Real Estate Deals FAQs

How to Find the Best Property Deals?

There’s no one way to find the best real estate deals, but many investors prefer the upside of off-market deals. These properties typically have less competition, offer more value-add potential, and are easier to negotiate! If you want the discounts of an off-market deal with the ease of on-market, new-build turnkey rentals may be your preferred investment! 

What is an “Off-Market” Real Estate Deal?

An off-market real estate deal is a property that has not yet been listed publicly for sale. You can find off-market deals by networking with wholesalers and agents, or by building your own lists and contacting owners about their properties.

Where Can I Find Discounted Rental Properties?

You can sometimes find discounted rental properties on the Multiple Listing Service, but more often than not, the biggest discounts come from off-market deals. These properties may be distressed, in foreclosure, or available for a much lower price if the seller is motivated to move off it quickly.