Put yourself in the lenders shoes.  

Note: My company will accept personal or business check/with ID.Know where your funding is coming from (a credit line, pre-loan commitment, seller financing, uncle Bill or Mom or your shoe box under the bed).Understand bidding position (where to stand).Your options with real estate (flip it, assign your contract for a fee, renovate and sell for taxable income, offer it on a Tax Deferred 1031 Exchange for equal or greater value, keep it for a cash flow income)?

We're I in your shoes, my inclination would be to ask them for an offer with an Earnest Money Deposit due within 48 hours of acceptance of their offer in the amount of $5000.  

I look forward to learning from other's in my shoes, as well as, sharing ideas and strategies.

Only you can decide what works for your goals and only local market knowledge can enlighten you as to the strategy's viability.If I was in your shoes (which I'm not, so ignore the foregoing) I'd take out a HELOC and do some flips.

Some people are effective hunters using sicial media but the best hunters find their targets using shoe leather.

Wish I had more direct insight from experience, but being in your shoes right now, the best thing you can do is be persistent, follow your dreams and always continue to learn more each day!

I was in your shoes about 5 years ago and wasn't sure how to get started either. 

The big problem I'd be trying to solve, if I was in your shoes, is how do I protect the equity I currently have (in any home) against housing prices going down.  

Blake, I'm not far removed from being in your shoes.