Everyone flexes about “off-market deals” like they’re automatic wins.
But here’s the truth:
Off-market doesn’t mean good.
Sometimes, it means nobody else wanted it — and if you’re not sharp, you could get stuck holding the trash.
🧠 The Off-Market Reality Check
Brokers and sellers love throwing around “off-market” to trigger your FOMO.
But what they don’t tell you is:
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Many off-market deals are junk properties that can’t comp out
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Sellers often have unrealistic price expectations
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Some brokers are just testing the waters with no real seller commitment
Getting a pocket listing doesn’t automatically mean you’re special — it might just mean you’re being played.
🏚 How to Spot the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Signs of a real off-market opportunity:
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The seller has real motivation to sell (not just fishing for offers)
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You can easily verify financials and expenses
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There’s true upside — not just lipstick on a pig
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The asking price actually makes sense for today’s market
If the deal doesn’t survive your underwriting, inspection, neighborhood analysis, and gut check?
Run. Fast.
💣 The Dangers of Off-Market FOMO
The real estate world loves hyping up off-market deals because it sounds sexy.
But if you get hypnotized by the word “off-market” without doing your homework:
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You’ll overpay
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You’ll inherit someone else’s problems
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You’ll lose money chasing emotions instead of fundamentals
Stay calm. Stay disciplined. Stick to your standards.
🤝 Where Real Off-Market Deals Actually Come From
Not from a random email blast.
Not from a cold DM.
Real off-market wins come from:
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Deep broker relationships
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Direct-to-seller work
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Trusted referrals
Relationships bring you the right deals—not hype.
🪓 Small Axe Takeaway
Off-market is just a label.
Real cash flow, real durability, and real risk management are what build empires.
Don’t chase deals.
Chase assets that pay you for years to come.
Stay sharp. Stay dangerous. Stay Small Axe strong. 🪓
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