Whatever you do, begin looking for someone to represent you in whichever market you choose.

All 3 of these I told them they'd need a representative here to physically see the house in person if their offer was to be considered.

This allowed me to have my down payment because I represented myself as the Realtor AND closing costs paid, AND have a little bit left over for rehab (which almost all HUD homes need). 

This is one of the areas I see on Redfin.Certainly, this one particular example cannot represent the whole city trend...Maybe it just happens in this particular area only...

Anybody needing a property manager or agent to represent you in buying or selling of any type of property (residential, multi-family/income, commercial or industrial) get in contact with me on Facebook or on Bigger Pockets and I will help you out.

Search for investor groups in your area.Mortgage Broker - a Mortgage Broker is a person who represents MANY banks.  

Can you represent me on the sale of this home and at what price? 

The closing attorney is technically or typically supposed to represent the buyer, so the waters can begin to turn a bit gray if worst case things go south and the same attorney represented both the lender and the borrower/buyer.

Do you represent Spencer personally or do you have a preferred contact there that you currently do business with?

I will shoot an email to one of our HR representatives and see what their response is.