Using Realtors to Find Cash Buyers via MLS

[Tara L.]

ALL:

A couple years ago, I took a course on Flipping Foreclosures but I've yet to complete a wholesale deal. I've recently relocated to a smaller market and decided that I would devote more time to investing. Before relocating, I contacted a realtor in my area and they've been in touch so here recently, I asked for a list of REOs and Short Sales in the area and received them. Next, I asked the realtor to provide information in regards to high cash transaction areas and a list of cash buyers in this area but it appears that they're dancing around my requests. They sent over the comps on one REO I've been researching, along with a note that 4 of the 12+ properties were purchased by cash buyers, but wouldn't provide any other information. I searched the county records for two of the properties but the records do not show any information in regards to the cash buyers. Is there any other way I can go about obtaining the information instead of being taken through countless hoops and rings with this realtor?

I'm interested in wholesaling until I build enough cash to pursue other areas of RE investing. I've been discussing the potential of short sales rising with the instructor from the Flipping Foreclosures course, but I want to make sure I have plenty of cash buyers lined up before I take on short sales as well as the price for the Short Sales course/mentoring program (will probably run about $8,000+). Any advice you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your response.