One of the most critical steps for a new investor is finding a competent real estate agent who understands your needs as an investor and will work hard for you. This article attempts to address that need.

Frequently, I am approached by investors throughout the country who think they cannot invest where they live because it’s a hot market. Currently, I live in an area ranked as the third hottest market in the country and am still finding great deals. And not only do great deals exist, but they keep getting better!

So many of you have been telling us that you're ready to get started investing, but "you can't find any deals! and what are the steps and secrets to finding great deals?" Some of you have even written asking us if there still ARE any deals left?OF COURSE there are! We find them all the time. But you ain't gonna find them looking at for-sale ads in the paper, for-sale signs in the yard, or by concentrating solely on short sales, foreclosures, REOs and agent-listed properties...

Real estate gurus are preaching a style of real estate investing that encourages you to go after the same houses as a 10-thousand other investors.

Yes, the principle is sound, but how about going after the same kind of bargain priced properties, while eliminating most competition?