People who truly makes money from properties are those who purchase from auctions or distress properties. It is a simple equation of higher risks higher return. Trust me, the first auction that you have succesfully bid for will only spur you further to look at other auctions. The only subsale deal I have done are those who have owed quite a bit of money. If you know your way around, "people" will tell you which properties are in distress. I hope I won't be showing off by saying this. My average capital gains in the past 5 years base on acquisition price against my selling price has been slightly over 100%. My yield against total acquisition price and incidentals (purchase, renovation, legal, finishings) is in the region of 14% and my ROI is nearly 30%. Impossible?

Good luck to you and wishing you all the success in properties.