@John Thedford it seem like you have a real soft spot for all Wholesalers, I'm sure you have some pretty strong arguments as to why Wholesalers are useless, but I still think there are some great REI out there who have done some impressive wholesale deals.

You may also be able to obtain a 'soft' option to buy the home, that allows the sellers to keep marketing the property and lets you test the market at something a little above your 'option' price.  

Total rehab: $17,270 (estimated was $18k and change)The numbers on this deal:Purchase Price: $72,000 cashRehab Costs:Kitchen Granite: $1300HVAC upgrade: $500Electric Fixtures: $800Interior finish: $2300Bathroom: $800New floors: $2800Dumpster: $1000Deck: $3000Microwave oven and elec: $600Rotten wood removal: $895Deck stain: $595New sod: $1795Shutters: $295Concrete stain: $495Mail box: $95Total rehab: $17,270 (estimated was $18k and change)Total cost: $89,270Sold price: $115,000Profit: ~$25,730 (after soft costs it should come out to around 20k, need to figure those)DOM: 150They really nailed the rehab budget and for that I give them credit.

A traveling sales man can probably store boxes of toothbrushes and brushes in the garage without any unreasonable concern as he sells the inventory on a route, a bit of judgment applies, certainly he can't store lawnmowers in crates or bathroom fixtures or gas welding supplies.

I have a pretty good grasp on what to expect from a soft cost stand point. 

Education also lets you practice soft skills in an environment without major consequences for mistakes.Plus Freshman year was the most fun I've ever had in my entire life.  

4) Credit pull- is a soft pull. it does not affect your credit score.I could go on and on and on.

I've actually found a little soft spot in my heart for the RE agents that just come right out and say "I don't work with investors" because it at least saves me the time and energy.Now having said that - I had to make TONS of calls and send a bunch of emails but I finally found an agent that does nothing more than work with investors and I'm stoked that the hunt finally paid off.And guess where I found that agent at?  

Are there any ways to protect your credit from all these soft inquiries?

When you did your intial application it will tell you your real fico score via a soft pull, did that say 740 or are you getting that from a credit monitoring service.