Off-market deals are properties sold privately, not advertised on public portals or estate agent windows. Savvy investors use this “secret market” to avoid bidding wars. In the UK, roughly 7.4% of home sales are off-market (and over a third of £1M+ sales)[26]. Sellers go off-market for confidentiality or speed, and buyers hope to pay below-market value[27]. Accessing these deals requires creativity and persistence.

Network and Relationships: Local estate agents and letting agents often have pocket listings or know of landlords ready to sell quietly. Let them know exactly what you want (location, price, property type), and offer to buy quickly. Relationships with builders, surveyors and tradespeople can also surface opportunities: they often learn of owners who’d sell a run-down home.

Direct Outreach: You can target likely sellers with letters or calls. Use Land Registry or company car databases to find owners of empty or unmodernized properties, especially if they live elsewhere. Sending a polite “wanted” letter (or even a newspaper advert) can uncover owners open to offers. Personal networks help too – mention to family, friends or colleagues that you’re looking to buy; word-of-mouth often brings leads.

Auctions and Solicitor Contacts: Auctions, though public, list motivated sellers’ homes (repossessions, probate, bankruptcy) before estate agents. Research upcoming auctions and inspect catalogues. Also, some solicitors specializing in distressed sales may have off-market leads. A face-to-face at an auction house or local investors’ meet-up can reveal insiders.

Deal Sourcing Services: Consider partnering with professional sourcers. In the UK, licensed property sourcers will send you vetted leads (often charging a fee per deal). Websites and investment clubs also circulate “exclusive” deals. Ensure any sourcer is registered with a property ombudsman or the Propertymark scheme to avoid scams.

Off-market sourcing is a numbers game – many leads with a few big wins. The key is persistence and being ready to act fast (cash/finance prepared). As one guide noted, thousands of homes are sold off-market each year[26], so well-connected investors can tap this hidden supply. By combining agent and personal networks, direct marketing, and occasional auctions, you’ll maximise your chances of finding a profitable deal that others miss[27][26].