Often, investors think that real estate listings are not a good way to find properties. They think that people with distressed properties will not have time to wait on an agent. Investors spend lots of time and money finding deals in alternate ways. These alternatives may include bandit signs, finding deserted properties and running 800 numbers.

But you should never neglect good sources of leads on investment properties. Using real estate listings can often get you better results than you think. There are certain things that you can determine from a real estate listing. You might end up with a great investment opportunity thanks to this information.

if they are good, do not neglect free sources of leads. Use real estate listings to help you find good investment properties. Watch out for these telltale signs:

* Houses that have been listed for a long time are good potential targets - The owners might be getting nervous if a house has been listed for a long time. However, they may not realize that they have options other than their realtor. They may feel as if you have thrown them a life preserver.

* Home prices that have been recently lowered - Houses with recent drops in price often are owned by people who are getting more motivated. After all, if you had all the time in the world you would wait for your asking price. A drop in price can indicate that the owners need to get out.

* FSBO signs in yards or listings are promising - Selling a property on your own can be overwhelming. They may be delighted to have any offer than gets them out of their current situation. They also may take a lower offer because they are not paying commission.

* • Properties that offer “creative” or owner-financing - This type of risky financing is always more perilous than bank loans. It may involve working with buyers who do not have enough credit to get a bank loan. A property owner who will take this risk is often a motivated seller.

It is likely clear to you now that real estate listings are a good source for leads. Use your local paper to spot potential deals in real estate listings right away.