Its a crazy world. Most of my deals have been done virtualy. I advertise for bird dogs in the surrounding towns and States. When they send me something that looks like a good deal I will negotiate with the seller and email them my contract and send them a $5 or $10 earnest deposit thru the mail. Once I get the contract back I begin advertising on craigs list in that location and nearby cities. Once I get a buyer I email him my Assignment of Contract to sign. I let the buyer choose his Title company and I email the purchase agreement and the assignment directly to that Title Company. I tell the buyer to go in and give them a partial payment and start the process and set it up for a 10 day closing which gives the Title company plenty of time to do their job. I write it into the assignment exactly how me and the finder are to be paid, usually a 50/50 split and the Title company then cuts our checks. It's a sweet easy process.
Nobody believes I sit at my computer and I buy and sell houses I've never seen to sellers and buyers I've never met. And most times I've never even met my bird dogs. It's a low risk high profit potential method. I've lost a few small deposits and I've made a ton of money. I also do the direct mail and door knob hangers and bandit signs but the virtual deals are my favorite for no cost advertising (Craig's List) and bird dogs and the low risk of $5-$10. I have also used my bird dogs to get documents signed and notorized, change locks on the door and show the houses to potential buyers. Anybody could do the same thing, even elderly, handicapped, and kids cud do it, So easy, just takes some guts, and realizing u have to look at a lot of houses to do a few deals.