The company I worked for was a smaller player in the fitness space, so they couldn't afford any extras.

Crowdfunding makes real estate easily accessible, however, in regard to institutional real estate investments, the advice of an expert who works in the industry every day, knows all the players and their track records, and performs due diligence on each offering is a great benefit to you and comes to you at no cost.

Any ideas on how to find someone like this in Seattle or do you know anyone who will player/coach a couple small reno projects with me?

Find some of the true players in that market.  

I have 12 rentals total but he is a much bigger player than myself in town.I believe he has 13 or so available for rent at the moment at the link below.www.lhpwichita.comSure I don't mind meeting.

Another point is that once you become a player in a geographical area - people bring deals to you before they come on the market since they know you are active.  

Not sure wholesaling or bird dogging houses has that kind of income potential I suppose it does for the top players...  

@Kyle H Find out what the big players are not bidding on and go after those deals. 

Because of professions, much like yours, Airbnb has become a big player in the short term rental market.

We are looking for guidance and advice from entrepreneurs like us that have already "learned the ropes" in order to become real players in this arena.