Top 10 Markets to Find Off-Market Properties in 2026
Expanded with Investor Data Tables & State-by-State POV
📊 Interactive Market Snapshot (Investor-Focused)
| Rank | Market | Avg Days on Market | Median Home Price | Avg Market Rent | Est. Gross Yield | Investor Competition | Buyer Leverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas–Fort Worth, TX | 45–55 | $395K | $1,850 | 5.6–6.2% | High | Medium |
| 2 | Indianapolis, IN | 28–34 | $224K | $1,385 | 7.0–7.8% | Medium | High |
| 3 | Cleveland, OH | 30–38 | $198K | $1,320 | 8.0–9.5% | Medium | High |
| 4 | McKinney, TX | 50–55 | $502K | $2,250 | 4.5–5.2% | High | Medium |
| 5 | Buffalo, NY | 20–25 | $249K | $1,500 | 7.2–8.0% | Medium | Medium |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | 40–46 | $314K | $1,720 | 6.3–6.8% | High | Medium |
| 7 | St. Louis, MO | 34–39 | $228K | $1,450 | 7.5–8.2% | Medium | High |
| 8 | Charleston, SC | 51–56 | $438K | $2,050 | 5.3–5.9% | High | Medium |
| 9 | Omaha, NE | 26–31 | $285K | $1,620 | 6.8–7.4% | Medium | Medium |
| 10 | Rockford, IL | 23–28 | $189K | $1,280 | 8.5–9.2% | Low–Medium | High |
How to use this table:
- High Buyer Leverage = ideal for off-market negotiation
- Higher Days on Market = more motivated sellers
- Lower Investor Competition = better pricing and terms
🗺️ State-by-State Investor POV (Where Off-Market Deals Are Forming)
Texas (DFW & Collin County)
POV: Texas is transitioning from a seller-dominated cycle into a more balanced market. Inventory is up, price growth has normalized, and sellers are far more open to private transactions.
Off-Market Sweet Spots:
- Suburban SFRs
- Small multifamily
- Portfolio sell-offs
Investor Strategy: Direct-to-seller outreach, estate properties, and builder inventory trades.
Indiana (Indianapolis Metro)
POV: One of the cleanest buyer-friendly markets in the Midwest. Strong job stability, landlord-friendly regulations, and consistent rent demand.
Off-Market Sweet Spots:
- Turnkey rentals
- Light rehab flips
- Duplex & quadplex assets
Investor Strategy: Cash-flow-first acquisitions below replacement cost.
Ohio (Cleveland & Secondary Cities)
POV: Ohio remains a cash-flow-first state with lower institutional pressure than Sun Belt metros.
Off-Market Sweet Spots:
- Distressed SFRs
- Small apartment buildings
- Long-term rentals
Investor Strategy: Scale portfolios using volume discounts and off-market bulk deals.
New York (Buffalo Market Only)
POV: Buffalo stands apart from NYC. Fast sales velocity and affordable pricing keep investor demand high, but off-market deals still surface due to aging housing stock.
Off-Market Sweet Spots:
- Value-add rentals
- Duplex conversions
- Inherited properties
Investor Strategy: Speed + certainty wins deals.
Missouri (St. Louis Metro)
POV: Stable Midwestern fundamentals with improved employment and population retention.
Off-Market Sweet Spots:
- Workforce housing
- Small multis
- Rent-ready SFRs
Investor Strategy: Creative terms and seller financing.
South Carolina (Charleston)
POV: Lifestyle-driven demand continues, but affordability pressures are forcing some sellers to exit quietly.
Off-Market Sweet Spots:
- Short-term rental conversions
- Small multifamily
- Coastal value-add
Investor Strategy: Buy below market before properties hit bidding wars.
Nebraska (Omaha)
POV: Tight supply, stable jobs, and low volatility. Sellers prefer quiet, off-market closings.
Off-Market Sweet Spots:
- Duplexes
- Rental portfolios
- Long-held family properties
Investor Strategy: Relationship-driven sourcing.
Illinois (Rockford & Secondary Markets)
POV: Rockford offers some of the highest yield-to-price ratios in the Midwest.
Off-Market Sweet Spots:
- Entry-level rentals
- Rehab-to-rent deals
- Absentee-owner properties
Investor Strategy: High cash flow, low acquisition cost.
📈 Why Off-Market Deals Matter More in 2026
- More inventory ≠ better deals on the MLS
- Sellers want certainty, speed, and privacy
- Investors win by sourcing before listings go public
In markets where days on market are rising and price appreciation has cooled, off-market access creates instant equity.
🚀 Take Action: Get Access to Nationwide Off-Market Deals
If you want real off-market properties in these markets — before they hit the MLS — visit:
FOMRE connects investors nationwide with off-market opportunities, motivated sellers, and deal flow you won’t find on Zillow or Redfin.
2026 belongs to prepared buyers.
Get in before the rest of the market catches up.