These functions include conducting face to face sales, over the phone sales, and internet sales.

(ps: I am a professional in Internet Technology for several decades now).

Other things to look for in either scenario, but potentially even more so for flipping, are things like the walkability of the area (can people walk to things like bars, restaurants, coffee, school, is it very hilly or is it a pleasant stroll), ratio of owner/occupants to renters in the area (people like to buy where everyone else buys, not in high rental areas), street noise (people like to have easy access to the highway, not be underneath it), etc.Of course, while internet research is hugely beneficial, a great way to know if a property is a good bet is to visit it and tour the town yourself.

well you can thank the internet  sites like BP  late night television evangilist RE guru's webinars podcasts etc etc.. facebook.. linkdin  etc etc. and the burning desire from many to get rich as absolutely quick as possible and some irrational idea that real estate is the way.. take the bar to entry is non existent and you have a lot of beginners.the reason you have all this wholesaler activity is because the market has strengthened and they can't buy a home like they could pre 08 only way to jump in with no money is try to pimp deals.

This is one of the better sites that you can say, "I learned it on the internet".

I doubt they have any funds available and are just some internet marketer getting points for referrals.

The internet is dangerous for research but this article helped me.  

Sounds like you did not do any homework and its going to kick you in the butt and it sounds like you gambled on this one. 

I starting scouring the internet and bigger institutions and it seems the lenders doing HELOCs on investment properties has dwindled. 

Definitely up, so the gamble on rates cannot go your way.I had one ARM in the past, and it went my way when it adjusted, but only because the market collapsed.