As of now, my general plan is to find a local realtor online who is experienced with real estate investing (and has investment properties of their own) to help me find a good local deal (goal is 20-25% return on ARV), get a hard money loan, aiming to rehab/repair/extend the property with my father (both have construction experience) within 4-5 months, and as for the loan exit strategy either sell or rent (depending on the deal). 

. - We don't have a "Rep" at MSI Chicago because they are so big and just do everything online - at least from our experience.  

-based, Associate Digital Bookkeeper certified, QuickBooks Online Pro Advisor certified, & Bookkeeping for Real Estate Investors certified.

This is the pertinent section of a NAR Exclusive Buyer Agency Agreement from PA. I

It takes 30-45 days, can be done online and needs to be renewed annually.

Invested $40,000 with the online store.   

Good opportunities, early stage opportunities, may not have the best online presence, but be otherwise legitimate.Also IRR is a vanity metric, it's the wrong measurement.

There are many forms you can get for free (or purchase) online for your specific state. 

I understand Google continues to push into this space and disrupt the online travel agencies, so the landscape might be changing. 

Here are a few tips to help you score that first deal:Network: Join local real estate groups and online forums like BiggerPockets to connect with other investors.Find Motivated Sellers: Look for distressed properties and consider sending direct mail to homeowners facing tough situations.Research the Market: Know your area’s property values by analyzing comparable sales using sites like Zillow or Redfin.Craft Compelling Offers: Highlight the benefits of a quick sale to sellers and consider a solid earnest money deposit to show you’re serious.Market Yourself: Use social media to share your journey and post flyers in local spots to attract leads.Stay Persistent: Rejection is part of the process, so learn from it and keep refining your approach.With your big business mindset and hard work, you’ll make it happen!