Most searchers think the answer to slow deal flow is adding more people.
They try to hire researchers, outsource scraping, or build a small team before they ever build the foundation that makes those people useful.
But the real advantage is not headcount. It is technology.
The searchers who move fastest are the ones who build systems that work even when they are not working.
They create leverage through tools, automation, and structure long before they bring on a single hire.
Chris Barr learned this during his second search.
He realized that tech leverage creates more reach, more efficiency, and more consistency than any assistant could provide at this stage.
And it changed the entire way he approaches sourcing.
Build the Machine Before You Chase the Deals
During his first search, Chris tried to run everything out of a manual Excel file.
It felt organized in the moment. In reality, it slowed him down at every step.
So on his second search, he rebuilt the foundation from scratch.
He focused on scalable leverage he could afford and ignored the distractions that would pull him backward.
Here is what changed..
Tech Multiplies Your Output
The right tools give you leverage without hiring.
You get more reach and more shots with less effort.
- A real CRM that replaces the clutter of spreadsheets
- Automated cold outreach that runs quietly in the background
- Data scraping tools that surface companies long before a broker ever calls
Even a one to two percent response rate becomes meaningful when the machine runs every day. The system works while you review docs, meet brokers, and keep your network warm.
The compounding effect comes from automation, consistency, and time.
Why Searchers Burn Out
Searchers often lean too far in one direction.
Some drown in tools and forget to look at actual deals. Others chase deals without any backend system to support the follow up needed to close them.
Chris ended up in that trap too.
He spent weeks rebuilding his tech stack and then realized he was letting deal flow go quiet. So he corrected his approach.
- Weekly progress reviews.
- Regular broker communication.
- Consistent sourcing along with consistent infrastructure building.
The search works only if both run together.
Brokers Still Matter When You Use Them Correctly
Even with automation, your broker network is still a major input.
When brokers know your niche, you get early looks and late looks, and that is how real opportunities surface.
The key is staying visible.
- Be responsive
- Review deals consistently
- Tell brokers exactly what you buy
- Remind them where you operate
You get leverage from brokers only when they remember who you are.
Why Most Searchers Miss the Real Leverage
Everyone asks how to find more deals, but few build the backend that can support the volume they want.
CRM replaces chaos.
Automation replaces repetition.
Tools expand your reach far beyond what you can do by hand.
This is the leverage that separates the first search from the second.
The Shift That Changes Everything
Do not rely on effort alone. Effort caps your output. Systems expand it.
Searchers who consistently get deal flow are not waiting for brokers to send something interesting. They build a structure that increases surface area, captures opportunities, and keeps the pipeline active every single day.
You do not (necessarily) need a larger team. You need leverage.
