Finding Off-Market Properties: How Investors Gain an Edge

For real estate investors, finding off-market properties can mean the difference between a good year and a great one. Off-market deals, properties not listed on the MLS, are often where the best opportunities hide.

These deals typically face less competition, allow for direct negotiations with sellers, and provide a wider range of creative financing options.

But many investors struggle to find them. Traditional methods, such as yellow letters, cold calling, and generic mailers, often fall short, wasting time and money without yielding results.

That was the challenge facing Albert Diaz and his wife, who run Orale Homes. Frustrated after months of failed mail campaigns, they found a more effective approach.

Why Off-Market Properties Matter for Investors

According to ATTOM Data, nearly 29% of all single-family home and condo sales in the U.S. were cash purchases in 2022, with many of these coming from investors targeting off-market deals. Off-market opportunities matter because they:

• Reduce competition compared to MLS-listed properties
• Allow direct negotiation with sellers
• Often come from motivated owners willing to consider flexible terms
• Provide better margins for wholesalers, flippers, and buy-and-hold investors

Finding these properties consistently requires a system. That’s where modern tools like DealMachine come in.

Related: Check out this review of DealMachine by Albert Diaz

Albert Diaz’s Story: From Frustration to Results

Albert Diaz and his wife were committed to expanding their real estate portfolio. Like many investors, they began with traditional marketing methods: yellow letters and bulk mailers.

The problem? Their efforts weren’t working.

Most of the letters were never opened. Contracts were nowhere in sight. The couple was spending money every month but wasn’t moving closer to their goals.

Everything changed when Albert stumbled across DealMachine while scrolling Facebook. Curious, he signed up and started using it to identify and contact property owners. Six months later, his approach to finding off-market properties had changed significantly.

“I haven’t stopped using it,” Diaz says. “My main goal was getting out there and trying to reach people.”

With DealMachine, Diaz and his wife now add 10–15 properties to their pipeline every week, with about half of those owners responding.

Why Professional Marketing Gets Better Responses

One of Diaz’s early success stories perfectly illustrates the difference professional marketing can make.

After adding a property to DealMachine, he received a call from the owner just days later. The owner, who lived five hours away, told him she usually throws away yellow letters and generic mailers without even opening them.

But this time was different. DealMachine’s professional postcard design stood out and grabbed her attention. Instead of discarding it, she picked up the phone and even drove five hours to meet with him in person the next day.

“That made me feel good,” Diaz recalls.

The property owner’s feedback confirmed that presentation matters. Professional marketing materials don’t just look better; they build trust and credibility.

Why Investors Struggle with Old-School Marketing

Traditional approaches, such as yellow letters, worked in the past, but today many homeowners view them as spam. Generic mailers often end up in the trash before anyone has a chance to read them. For investors, this means:

• Wasted money on printing and postage
• Weeks or months with no leads
• Frustration that slows business growth

In a competitive market, standing out matters more than ever. Sellers are more likely to respond to communication that looks professional, personal, and trustworthy.

The Benefits of Using DealMachine for Finding Off-Market Properties

Albert Diaz is quick to recommend DealMachine to both new and experienced investors. His reasons are simple:

• Affordable – More cost-effective than most traditional marketing campaigns.
• Efficient – Instead of blindly mailing thousands of letters, investors can target specific properties.
• Faster Results – Diaz saw responses within days, not months.
• Beginner-Friendly – Even new investors can start using it without prior experience.
• Responsive Support – A team ready to answer questions and guide users.

By replacing old-fashioned mail campaigns with an app-based system, Diaz and his wife freed up time to focus on conversations with property owners rather than chasing down leads that never panned out.

A Smarter, More Efficient Approach

Before switching tools, Diaz and his wife were investing a significant amount of time in marketing campaigns that were going straight into the trash. Now, every effort counts.

Instead of sending thousands of letters and hoping for replies, they can:

• Pinpoint motivated sellers in their market
• Automate professional postcards
• Track responses and manage their pipeline in one place

This efficiency not only saves money but also maximizes their chances of securing profitable deals.

How New Investors Can Start Finding Off-Market Properties

For beginners, the biggest challenge isn’t usually money; it’s confidence. Many new investors are unsure of where to begin or feel overwhelmed by marketing. Diaz recommends starting with tools that simplify the process.

Here’s a simple plan for getting started:

1. Identify your target area – Focus on neighborhoods where you want to invest.
2. Look for distressed or absentee-owned properties – Vacant houses, homes with deferred maintenance, and absentee landlords are often the best leads.
3. Use a direct mail system with tracking – Professional postcards get better open rates and responses.
4. Follow up consistently – Many deals take multiple contacts before a seller responds.
5. Be ready to listen – Motivated sellers want solutions, not just offers. Build relationships to earn their trust.

Key Takeaways

• Off-market properties are where many of the best deals occur.
• Traditional mail campaigns often fail because they look unprofessional.
• Albert Diaz’s success shows the importance of credibility in marketing.
• DealMachine helps investors find and connect with sellers more efficiently.
• New investors don’t need years of experience to start building a pipeline of deals.

Finding off-market properties doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right system, investors can cut through the noise, reach sellers who are ready to talk, and build profitable businesses without wasting money on outdated methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it typically take to see results with DealMachine?

Albert Diaz saw results within days of adding properties. Many users build a pipeline of 10–15 properties weekly, with about half of the owners responding.

Q: Is DealMachine suitable for beginning real estate investors?

Yes. It’s affordable, user-friendly, and provides faster results than traditional marketing. Albert Diaz specifically recommends it for new investors.

Q: What makes DealMachine’s postcards more effective than yellow letters?

The professional design creates credibility. Sellers are more likely to read and respond to materials that look trustworthy, unlike generic mailers that are often discarded.

Q: Do off-market properties really offer better deals than MLS listings?

Often, yes. Off-market properties have less competition, which can mean better purchase prices and more room