Applying Long-Distance Investing to Wholesaling

[Jordan Solomon]

This question was actually inspired by the new BiggerPockets book by David Greene about long-distance investing. As those of you who read it probably know, the book doesn't really pertain to wholesaling as opposed to rehab and buy-and-hold. Which is absolutely fine, obviously, but does raise some questions for those primarily interested in wholesaling but who want to do so long-distance. 

Here's my specific question. The book makes it clear that an agent is one of the most important members of one's long-distance real estate team. But since almost all wholesaling seems to involve off-market properties, not properties listed on the MLS, using agents doesn't apply. How does one deal with this problem? That is, who fills this role instead when wholesaling virtually? I guess another way to ask this is this: how does one work long-distance real estate investing when going after off-market properties?