Here is a useful way to use Zillow to find obscure investment deals that most people do not think of doing.
You are basically going to run a Zillow search using different keywords (we have found it works best to add one keyword at a time to search.)
To start, enter a general area that you want to search in … “Colorado” for example – and type that into to the search bar.
Then, click on the “MORE” tab on the Zillow navigation bar.
Do a search with the following keywords … one at a time:
“Traditional Financing” (this will usually bring up properties that WILL NOT qualify for traditional financing)
“Investor”
“Cash Buyer”
“Fix and Flip”
“Fixer Upper”
“Bank Owned”
“Foreclosure”
“Motivated”
“Owner Finance”
Once you have the keyword in, go back to your map. You could see everything listed as a “fix and flip” in Colorado, or you could zoom it out and see everything listed as a “fix and flip” all over the country.
You can also refine your search by looking for Zillow properties that are not listed by realtors. You do this by clicking on the “Other Properties” tab next to the “Agent Listings” tab on the main screen. This brings up “For Sale by Owner Properties,” which could also present some fix and flip opportunities.
Finally, you can search Zillow based on how long a property has been on the market, which can sometimes indicate an issue with the property (think: flood damage) that you might be able to fix (and flip).
Hope these tips help you get searching faster and in a more targeted way on Zillow! (Plus, it’s so fun to see all of the properties that come up!)
Good luck out there Investor Nation.
The i Fund Cities Team
P.S. If you would like to learn more about what we offer, you can Contact Us with general inquiries, or Get a Quote on your project.