It's great for agents who pay to advertise because the leads are hot and good, but for investors it's just window dressing.

But attitude, that's been a significant factor in happiness, success, well-being, and fortune for ages.

Start out with the older neighborhoods in town...That's always the lowest hanging fruit. 

@Javier Fernandez, I don't have anyone specific in the L.A. area but I would recommend looking for agents who are doing some degree of volume in the market you want to be in.

I was panicking thinking I wouldn’t live long enough to enjoy the fruits.    

Everyone knows a lot of the low hanging fruit is not so easy to find anymore, but I see on Redfin that people have closed deals that never showed up on the MLS. 

The low hanging fruit deals with light rehab and low margins are for the weak ;) Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

So no, this is not likely the end of agents.I think the margins will become thinner for agents (minus luxury) and it will eventually be unrecognizable as we know it today.

I am getting all kinds of answers as to how/if I should receive a commission as an equity partner in a rehab business.  Any thoughts?  Should the commissions go back into the profit of all partners or should I be paid...

IMO, the frugal would likely much prefer to grow their own fruits and vegetables, shop for raw quality ingredients, and invest a bit more time and money in their food in the short term to cook their own meals with quality ingredients in order to achieve the long term benefits of eating more healthy, while still saving money over going out to eat.