I am interested in purchasing a single family home as a rental property, which would be my first real estate investment outside of my primary residence. I've been soaking up information on BiggerPockets.com and started listening to their podcast (which I can highly recommend). My primary roadblock has been actually finding off-MLS deals that always seem to go down in my area - forclosures, etc. There are many LLC-type flipping companies that acquire these properties seemingly out of nowhere.
I've been trying to think creatively about using my own connections for a potential deal and one immediately came to mind. I have an elderly customer who has frequented my workplace for as long as I've worked there. She has no immediate family remaining, and is the longtime owner of a single family home in a very desirable, urban neighborhood. She has mentioned that her will and estate would be donated to her church. When she passes away (morbid, I know but we are talking business here) - what is the process for which her property could/would be sold?
Also, I know there are many experts on this forum. How did you find your first off-the-record deal and what sources do you recommend to do so?