How do you vet note JV partners?

[Amanda G.]

Working on my due diligence for note investing. I am happy to learn as much as I can through reading, and I also know that the main teacher is actually doing something. 

I've been interviewing potential people who currently invest in notes for JV possibilities. If you were starting off, what would you want to see in a JV partner? A certain length of time in the business? Variety of loans worked? Local networks in areas they buy notes? In a normal job interview I would ask for references, but I'm not sure that works in this world. How would you or did you decide who you were going to work with?