I find that to be the problem with "lining something up".. If its a good deal its gone before any "lining up" can take place and if its not a good deal then it sits for a while because most don't want it.
Thus whenever I was looking for a place in the past I got a temporary residence for a month or so, and checked what came on the market every day until the right place came along. Know what you want and grab it quick.