We pulled together what active investors are seeing right now, along with what we are seeing within DealMachine workflows, to create a clearer playbook for finding wholesale real estate deals in 2026.
Here’s the main idea: deals usually come from a problem that needs solving, not from a listing. So your job is to find the situations where owners want relief, then follow up until the timing is right.
This guide covers five methods that still work, plus a research-driven section to help you choose where to focus first.
In 2026, many owners feel pressure from monthly costs, repairs, and uncertainty. That changes how you should run these methods:
AI also plays a real role now. Not to replace conversations, but to help you move faster with the admin work: organizing leads, writing first drafts of outreach, logging notes, and staying consistent. DealMachine supports that kind of system, so you can do more follow-ups without losing track of people.
This table is not meant to be perfect for every county. It is meant to help you think like an investor: which lead type is louder in this region, and what should you do with it first. The “code violations” signals come from major public datasets that many investors use to spot distress.
|
Region |
Tax Delinquency Opportunity Signal (2024–2026) |
Code Violations Opportunity Signal (2024–2026) |
Best Investor Move |
|
Northeast |
Property taxes tend to be heavier in many Northeast markets, which can add strain and create more “problem” conversations for owners over time. |
Strong public visibility in major cities (example: NYC housing maintenance code violations data is maintained and regularly updated). |
Combine driving for dollars + code violations. Use tax delinquent leads for absentee owners and inherited properties. |
|
Midwest |
High-tax pockets can leave owners behind or frustrated, especially in places with long-term tax pressure. |
Strong city-level building violations data is available in major metros like Chicago. |
Pull code violations first, then layer tax delinquent for landlords who are done. |
|
South |
Payment stress can show up faster in areas where insurance and escrow costs have climbed, which can connect to property tax delinquency risk signals. |
Strong code enforcement data exists in several counties and cities (e.g., Miami-Dade and Houston). |
Start with tax-delinquent + tired-landlord outreach, then use code violations to sharpen the list. |
|
West |
Higher-cost markets can yield mixed results by submarket, but rising costs still create motivated-seller situations over time. |
Public code enforcement case data is available in major cities (example: Los Angeles Building & Safety cases; LAHD property lookup tools). |
Use code enforcement + driving for dollars to find “visible distress,” then follow up longer. |
How To Use This Table In Real Life: pick one region and one lead type to start, then run it every week for 8–12 weeks before you switch strategies. Consistency is what turns “data” into deals.
1) Driving For Dollars
Driving for dollars means driving neighborhoods and spotting properties that look vacant, neglected, or unmanaged.
In 2026, the edge is not just finding the property. It is logging it cleanly and following up like a pro.
A simple plan:
DealMachine is built around this workflow so you can capture leads fast and keep your follow-up organized.
Tax-delinquent leads come from owners who are behind on their property taxes. Many of these owners are not active sellers. They are just trying to stop the bleeding.
Keep it simple and respectful:
If they are not ready, ask when you can check back.
Code violations are a strong “distress signal” because they often indicate deferred maintenance, vacancy, tenant complaints, or an overwhelmed owner.
Even when the market is steady, some owners fall behind. Pre-foreclosure leads can be real opportunities if you approach them the right way.
This is not the time for pressure. It is time for clarity.
Try:
Then listen. If they say no, thank them. If they say maybe, set a follow-up date.
Expired listings are owners who tried to sell but did not get it done.
A smart approach:
Tired landlords often have the best “quiet” deals, but they take follow-up.
Signs include:
Most deals come after multiple touches.
A simple schedule:
If you want this to be easier, use a single system to track properties, contact attempts, and notes. DealMachine helps you do that so you stay consistent.