Start buy saving another 10%. You will not get a good deal with 10% down even if you ask for no credit. 10% down with prepaid PMI will give you shot at the crappiest of the crappy $500K houses on the market (crappy condition, crappy price or both).
Learn when sdlookup updates their listings (happens 4-5 times/day). If you have any coding experience write a script that will email you the details as soon as new listing appears. If the price is right call the listing agent ASAP (listings include the listing agency – find the phone#, call in and someone will take it from there). Make sure you get the agent to understand that you are a buyer, not an agent. Be ready to submit your offer on the same day, without seeing the property. Be confident – you will not get a chance if the agent believes your offer will fail.
If your offer is accepted and you don’t like the house walk away. It does not cost anything.
