I still am on the lists of all the major wholesalers and still show up to showings occasionally on properties that might have enough margin for me but have not purchased recently from a wholesaler.Just like Adrien says, they provide a service of marketing and negotiating contracts for you.

@Annabelle Rozen  I believe the stability of the rental market within Allentown is rather robust. 

Never considered it a market to invest in.

It sounds like mistakes were made on the properties but I'm also questioning the market (you didn't say where these are). 

Purchase price: $35,000 Cash invested: $35,000 Sale price: $110,000 A fix-and-flip project purchased off-market from a tired landlord involved buying a distressed property with significant deferred maintenance.

Good market or not so much thx 

Next, side by side duplexes are a Unicorn in the NE Ohio market.

Are they at market rent, or locked into below-market rates?

With a HELOC being around 9% I'd probably be paying more in interest than the money would make in the stock market.

You should be able to use departing residence income from the market rent when qualifying for a new primary purchase.