How To Finding Properties Not Listed For Sale? Newbee
Finding properties can be done through ads, signs, letters, flyers, etc. I am interested in the search for properties, when those properties are not up for sale. How do the rest of you address the people in homes that run down & not cared for? Is it better to send a letter versus nocking on the door? Any information in this area is appreciated. 
Hello, theprivateinvestor
You live in Lake Worth, this is great area and this is good place to start by any means.
This is what you need to do.
Traditional way for people who we bought houses from:
1. Locate property
-you think abandoned (bad shape)
-papers from court (see bellow) as:
*final judjment (foreclosures)
*lis pendens (can be anything - research needed)
*certificate of title (if another party is
bank)
2. Find the owner via Property Appriser page:
http://www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/papa/
3. Get info on him and prroperty (mortgages, etc..) via
http://oris.co.palm-beach.fl.us/or_web1/or_sch_1.asp
All this is not really a big deal of research as long as you have fast internet and good idea what you are looking for.
You are (and myself) are very very lucky because each county in South Florida really has great internet-based databases now, so to do a research is easy.
Good luck!
Yulia
There is no universal answer to your question. Knocking on peoples doors is often considered impolite but the good side of that approach is that you'll put yourself in direct contact with potential sellers and that my friend is where you'll build your confidence. The negative side is that you may occasionally get cursed or bitten by a guard dog so be considered.
Some do it this way and some does it the other way and find success by sending letters... it's all up to you and I guess it also depends in what kind of neighborhood do you want to work. If you are really determine to find your first deal, you may want to try both for a month or so.