How to Find Your First (or Next) Deal Without Spending a Dime featured on the Investor Fuel Show with Mike Hambright

In this special episode, I joined Mike Hambright on the Investor Fuel podcast to share my journey from buying my first property in 2007—just days before the market crash—to building a thriving real estate business with nearly 100 rental units today. We dug into the evolution of my investment strategy, the turning points that pushed me to systematize and scale, and why having no money turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

 

We also tackled a hot topic: the future of wholesaling, especially now that it’s illegal in South Carolina. I break down what this means for investors and how to pivot with confidence. Plus, I reveal the overlooked opportunities sitting right in your backyard—yes, literally—and how you can uncover deals without spending a dime on advertising. Whether you’re just getting started or figuring out your next move, this episode is packed with practical strategies and real talk about what works in today’s market.

 

Episode Highlights

[0:00] – Introduction

[2:29] – My first real estate deal and the timing that nearly cost me everything

[5:37] – The “accidental landlord” phase and the hard lessons we learned on buying and managing rentals

[7:52] – Hiring a coach to accelerate growth and go full-time in real estate

[10:38] – Why so many people miss deals that are right in front of them

[12:13] – The surprising sources where new investors find their first deals

[14:29] – How I missed a $75K flip across the street—and what that taught me

[17:13] – Building a deal pipeline by working with influencers, agents, and your own network

[19:09] – The power of walking neighborhoods and using conversation to unlock deals

[20:28] – How to use Facebook groups to find off-market properties

[22:00] – Getting specific with agents to make your requests stand out

[24:26] – What to do when wholesaling is no longer an option

[26:26] – Creative strategies for closing deals legally without a wholesaler’s license

[28:23] – Where to connect with me and join the Deal Finders community

 

5 Key Takeaways

 

1. Start Where You Are – Many investors find their first deal right in their own neighborhood through basic tactics like driving for dollars or word of mouth.

2. Coaching Can Compress Time – Hiring a coach helped us skip years of trial and error and go from struggling landlords to full-time investors.

3. Don’t Ignore Free Lead Sources – A quarter of our deals still come from unpaid methods like referrals and community outreach.

4. Wholesaling Isn’t Everything – Even if wholesaling becomes illegal in your area, you can still build a sustainable business through creative financing and closing strategies.

5. Your Network is a Goldmine – The people closest to you can be powerful sources of leads if you simply tell them what you’re looking for.

 

Links & Resources

• Connect with me and join the community: DealFindersClub.com

• Facebook Group: Deal Finders Club

• Book a call through the website to learn more or start working together

 

If this episode resonated with you or gave you new strateg