I’m qualified to buy a house but im 40k away from having a strong offer for a home I really want.

You'll get a very low rate for what you produce (excess you put in the grid), while you'll be charged a much higher rate for what you consume (get from the grid, likely at night).There are other "payback" schemes that offer higher rates, but they are limited (basically efficient only for very small systems), or have charges that offset the higher rate.

Columbus is a standout choice, it offers impressive property appreciation and landlord-friendly laws.

maybe you should just submit written offers for what you believe its worth.

They offer training and mentorship programs for new and seasoned operators. 

There were several offers but I won out because I would take on the terrible tenants.

They also offered a $500 non-refundable pet deposit.

Richmond, Virginia, offers various opportunities in the real estate market.As you venture into wholesaling, focus on building a strong network, honing your negotiation skills, and understanding the local market dynamics.

There's a lot of money to be made in PM, and I do not believe most of the franchises available offer anything proprietary and worth paying for (certainly not that IFF and their royalty percentage.) 

@Lilly FangNo experience - what are they offering as collateral and projected returns?