AOC vs. 1st Fix/Flip - Hot Avondale area in Chicago!

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I am based in California but investing out-of-state right now.

I need advice on a great property I just got under contract in Avondale community of Chicago. 

The current owners have been in it for 16 years and took great care of it. Only medium rehab/updates are needed in this home, mainly the kitchen and bathrooms. However, in this area...higher-end updates pay off big-time!  

I am just starting out in real estate investment and have been focusing on assignments of contract to build more capital. Although there has been tons of interest in this property, nothing solid has come through (yet?). 

I know this is an awesome area, home, and investment opportunity. Been thinking about possibly making this home our first fix/flip project. The problem is that I am out-of-state, would need funding, and a partnership with...preferably...a local, trusted investor there. Being a complete newbie...I have no idea where/how to start or how that works. 

I need advice big-time on what I should do. The seller's agent has been receiving non-stop calls for this property with offers $20K+ then my own, and have been doing my research on the area --- so I know there is great potential here. I need to figure out if I should still try to assign this contract or make it my first fix/flip project...? Or would I just be digging my own grave (I have already experienced the "ugly" side of real estate investing...) making my 1st fix/flip project in another state? But, also worried, what if for some reason I am not able to assign this contract ---I do not want to lose an awesome opportunity like this.

Any advice/guidance is much appreciated.