When you are shopping for a real estate investment, one or more of the following are signals that you’ve found a potentially good deal.

Distressed seller. A distressed seller is under tremendous pressure to unload the property. Such a seller may be facing foreclosure, going through a divorce, or experiencing a personal crisis that has created a financial need. Sometimes a distressed seller is an heir (or heirs) who has inherited the property and just wants to be rid of it.

Distressed property. A distressed property has usually suffered neglect and is in serious need of paint and other repairs and maintenance. It’s common for owners of distressed properties to expect to sell at a price well below what the fair market value would be if the property was in good shape.

Lack of management. When income-producing property is poorly managed, it will likely not be profitable—or certainly not as profitable as it could be. When you find a property suffering from lack of management, you have an opportunity to make a great deal and turn things around for future profits.

Lack of owner interest. When a property owner loses interest in his investments, it’s a great opportunity for you to step in. In some cases, rather than sell immediately, the owner will let the property deteriorate, which adds distressed property to the equation. In other cases, the owner may just want to be rid of something that has become a burden. In any case, when the owner isn’t interested, you have a chance to put together a great deal.