New investor seeking help in St. Louis market

I've been attending my local REI meetings for the purposes to network and learn how others approach real estate investing. Recently, I've had some up and down moments after attending these meetings.
I always come away feeling good when I realize that the other investors do not use the same process that Dean and his advisers teach. The local investor strategy seems to be buy/lock-up a property, determine exit strategies, then find a buyer. Whereas, we here are learning to find buyers first, then find the deals to lock-up. To me it just makes better sense to find buyers first. It also provides confidence going into a deal.
However, I've also hit roadblocks when talking to some of the experienced investors. A big roadblock is that I am willing to use the MLS to scout properties and try to find ways to lock-up these deals. Experienced investors don't approach MLS listings because "once they are listed on the MLS, every investor knows about them" and "they are still on the MLS because other investors can't see a profit to be made". While I can see where the logic comes from, I'm curious if the MLS is only good for posting your current holdings to Retail Buyers. (The experienced investors are also licensed to view the MLS, but I imagine this is to view all of the info on a house they are looking at.) This seems to contradict what All-Stars like Matt Larson do to find deals. My understanding of his 25:1 strategy, he teams up with his real estate agent to find deals. It seems the MLS is the main strategy real estate agents use because they know that's where so many houses are. But to an investor like Matt, it's only one channel to go down because of other techniques Dean teaches.

What are other people's thoughts on the MLS and deal-finding? My confidence is waving and I need to push past these negative thoughts because I KNOW I can make money in real estate! Any help clearing my head would be great. Or maybe I just need to find a way to get in contact with Matt and learn from the man with the strategy...

Travis

It seems there are not any of Dean's students in my local area, since none have found these posts, yet (so it looks like I'm a crazy person carrying a conversation with myself). But if anyone is around here, I would love the help. I keep running into 'Yeah-But' people who are preventing me from my goals. Agents (and even investors) don't think my strategies will work, even though they're working for everyone else on this site! I feel like I'm taking crazy pills! So this is a plea to anyone in St. Louis using Dean's strategies to talk to me!

Give me a shout. I'm in STL. I have a partner on the IL side. I have a huge network of wholesalers, buyers, and we market heavily for sellers. My phone rings every day 3-5 different potential deals regarless of whether I pick it up or not! Anyways, I partner with wholesalers in this area, all over this area. We're building a team. If you are looking to hook up and talk shop let me know.

It's been awhile since you have posted. I hope all is well and you haven't given up just yet!

Own Your Situation,
Ben

Chip and I are looking to get involved in the STL market - Go Cards!

We are looking to mainly buy and hold properties for cashflow. We would be happy to pay referrals for any good deals....However, first we need to build our power team out there. We are looking for any good recommendations on Property Managers and Investment Friendly Small Local Banks. Any help with these 2 would be great.

Again once we have a great property manager and a small local bank that will work for us we are ready to open the STL flood gates.

Thanks everyone,
Andrea

Mr Tea, the MLS is a great starting place. It’s like an ocean with many fish to catch. You have to start somewhere and why not an ocean full of fish. As far as talking about DG in your RE meetings , just be a novice and listen to what others have to say grasshopper. (I hope your not to young to know what that means). Once you learn Dean’s methods then you can move on to much bigger things. I am a seasoned REI of many years and I don’t use Deans methods either but I do know that they work. Mine are similar but easier to use for me. Until you get a sale under your belt you will be constantly told you can’t do this but we all know that you can. So become a good listener and study Deans course and you will succeed.
Kris

I haven't given up yet! I have been busy trying to find those quality team members who will help reach my goals...I've already had some bumps and bruises since I first started, but I'm learning how to recover. I've been working hard the last 3 weeks just to find a realtor who will actually work (is it just me?).

I am investing just west of St. Louis city and counties, currently. However, once I get a few deals under my belt and a power team in place, I will be expanding towards St. Louis from the west. One step at a time, though.

I got excited last week when I heard Chip & Andrea talking about investing in this area during the mentor phone call. It would be great to be able to team up with some all-stars, even if it's some wholesale gigs (C&A read that as 'bird-dog'. HA)

Thanks a ton for the support!

Travis

Current Goal: Complete 1st deal by September 20th

We really just need an investor friendly (small local) bank and we are in when it comes to buying assignment deals from other DGers.