Finding off-market real estate deals can give you a competitive advantage when pursuing SB-684 projects. Since these properties aren’t publicly listed, you avoid bidding wars and gain more negotiation flexibility. Targeting off-market opportunities allows you to act quickly and secure the right deals. By connecting directly with homeowners, networking with investors, and building relationships with real estate professionals, you can uncover prime properties before they hit the market.

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Reach Out to Owners of Vacant Properties

SB-684 allows you to subdivide vacant lots in single-family zones, opening the door to profitable investment opportunities. Many homeowners with unused land are willing to sell, especially if they’ve abandoned plans to develop it. By using search tools like MLS, you can track down high-equity vacant lots and connect directly with owners. Securing off-market deals this way gives you a head start in transforming overlooked properties into subdivided, buildable lots.

Scenario

A small-scale investor wanted to take advantage of SB-684 but struggled to find the right properties. After using your MLS to filter vacant lots owned by long-time homeowners, they identified a seller who had inherited an empty lot and had no plans to develop it. By reaching out directly and making a competitive cash offer, the investor secured the property well below market value, subdivided it, and sold the new lots to a local builder for a significant profit.

Become Part of an Investment Network

Connecting with an investment community gives you an edge when looking for SB-684 opportunities. Other investors often share leads on properties with subdivision potential and offer tips on navigating local approval processes. Whether you join real estate groups, online forums, or in-person meetups, you’ll gain access to off-market deals and proven strategies. Learning from experienced investors helps you act fast and secure prime opportunities before the competition does.

Scenario

A new investor in San Diego joined a local real estate meetup focused on small-scale development. During one session, an experienced investor shared details about an off-market property in one neighborhood that met SB-684 criteria but required a creative approach to zoning approvals. The new investor, equipped with this insight, contacted the property owner and negotiated a seller-financed deal. By leveraging the community’s guidance, they successfully subdivided the lot and developed a triplex home, turning their first deal into a major win.

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Connect with Real Estate Experts

Strong relationships with brokers, agents, and property managers can put you ahead of the game. These professionals often know about off-market deals and upcoming listings that meet SB-684 requirements. By staying in touch with them, you’ll hear about available developed properties before they hit the open market. Plus, their expertise in zoning laws, permitting, and market trends will help you make smarter investment decisions and move through the subdivision process smoothly.

Scenario

An investor looking for SB-684-eligible properties built a strong relationship with a local real estate agent specializing in land deals. One day, the agent contacted them about a homeowner looking to sell a large multi-family lot that was perfect for a subdivision. Because of their established connection, the investor got the first opportunity to make an offer before the property went public. They secured the deal, subdivided the land, and sold the new parcels at a premium to other developers in the area.

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Resources

California Legislative Information