Could also help with speed in case your research slows you down.

What I was thinking about doing is taking out the HELOC in order to make some improvements to the property using OPM and hang on to my cash.Given that I am putting down 25% on the property it seems like I would have enough equity to get a HELOC but I'm not up to speed on how HELOCs work.If there is a better option to accomplish the same goal that you can suggest I would love to hear it.  

Readily apparent good deals show up on the MLS from time to time, even in a hot market ... the key is speed to get your offer in fast and lock it up before your competition does.There are two other ways that I'm aware of to get good deals off the MLS, one which is unscrupulous IMO and the other that takes some vision.1)The unscrupulous way: you bid the property at or close to asking price, with no intention of closing at that price.

My plan is to become a broker in a state that allows me to do so the fastest, and then apply for reciprocity in the states around me.

I think what you are looking for is someone trained in the ways of real estate investing - an agent that will:Introduce you to FSBO's - Expired Listings and other real estate opportunitiesWill be your fiduciary representativeWill make offers for you on suitable real estateWho understands creative financing; delayed settlement, seller assisted financing, assignment, wholesaling, REO, tenant selection, soft money mortgages, tax salesWho will be responsive to your financial goals and a person of integrity and trustHelp with direct mail and street marketing to locate transactionsHousing and rent court marketingAbsolute aware of financial and contract clauses as well as contract engineeringCan assist in - delayed settlement - automatic extension, performance mortgages, subordination, principal mortgages, options and joint venturesAware of bidding on REO, forclosures, tax sales and public auctionsUp to speed on commercial real estate, lots and land as well as businesses with real estateHow should you treat this wonderful person (if you can find one) -They should have a commitment from in the form of a Fiduciary Buyers Brokers AgreementYour agreement to pay them a commission on any non-listed deals they bring youA bonus agreement for great deals that you closeA gas budget - or a cash payment for gas Kind words and respectTo be sincere and active with the agentRespect from youFirst class training on how to represent youSometimes an equity interest in the great deals the agent has initiatedListings when you are ready to sellYour cooperation - all your financials, tax returns and other information that will help your agent close dealsA few free lunches ----Good luck --- Charles

I'm hoping I could meet up with a local RE agent that is also an investor that could bring me up to speed on the scene in Buffalo.

Any tips to kind of speed up this process?

Do you have the down payment shown or are you doing an exercise to get up to speed and learn?  

If u have that type of capital a little research into the top 5 fastest growing cities in the us will pay off for u ten fold.

Orlando is one of the six fastest growing in the state (Jacksonville is not growing as fast): Florida has 6 of the nation's fastest growing metro areas