This is almost always something I try to do myself unless I don't have the time because it is time consuming if your new at it or doing it by yourself.3- Painting is only timing consuming.

It is way more difficult and time consuming than most people make it sound, and I have yet to meet a truly successful and honest wholesaler (have met many who are not either).   

A few more seasoned investors have told me, perhaps controversially, that most cities place such onerous zoning restrictions and are completely inactive in aiding affordable house because lower income and lower-mid income residents are such a net loss to the cities, i.e. little tax revenue and big consumers of city services.

@James Cloud What do you mean when by buyer, the investor or the end consumer (buyer of flip, tenant, buyer of wholesale)? 

It was very interesting and I am glad I did it, but it's crazy time consuming (I general'ed it myself ), ties up so much capital and is quite risky actuallly - "spec home" is short for speculation after all.

It's time consuming.

@Doug DanoffI am not at all a developer or real estate mogul with umpteen years of experience on my back but I am a consumer.

Definitely has to run as a business and not a life consuming suck (learned that early).

Market research is very time consuming.

I checked the Better Business Bureau for complaints, I checked the NJ State Attorney General consumer division to ensure he was licensed, I checked every reference he gave by visiting sites and speaking with the homeowners.