If I were starting out today and trying to land my first — or next — creative deal, these are the lists I would focus on first. Not fancy. Not complicated, just effective. 1) Expired listings These homeowners already tried to sell… and it didn’t happen. That alone makes this an easy conversation. You can lead with something simple: “I saw your property was listed at one point and wanted to see if you still had any interest in selling.” A lot of these owners: • Didn’t have enough equity to sell • Couldn’t get the price they needed • Ran out of time or patience That’s often where creative solutions make sense. 2) Probate These can be very lucrative. In many cases, heirs inherit a property they don’t actually want. When there are multiple family members involved, speed and simplicity matter more than squeezing out every last dollar. Many would rather: • Take a clean, quick solution • Avoid family conflict • Avoid listing the property • Avoid floating the mortgage, taxes, and insurance If you approach these with empathy, they can turn into great deals. 3) Pre-foreclosures These are powerful because there’s a timeline.That said, there’s a lot that goes into these deals. For beginners, I’d recommend: • Starting elsewhere first • Or doing a lot of research • Or partnering with someone who knows what they’re doing They’re not impossible — just more complex. You don’t need every list. You need one list you can work consistently. Question for the group: Which of these lists are you planning to try in 2026? And which one has been your favorite so far? Drop it below 👇