Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Your deal finder (agent/wholesaler)3.

Where I’m Focusing: Ohio (Dayton and Cincinnati) — I already have trusted partners for renovation and construction.Investment Strategies: I’m interested in fix-and-flip and BRRRR.Open to Networking: Real estate agents, investors, contractors, and anyone passionate about real estate.My Goal: To learn from experienced investors, share ideas, and build a scalable real estate business.Looking forward to connecting and learning from this great community! 

An agent?

I don't know about your state but mine (TN) has a lookup tool that will show you the agent's original license date, the brokerage incorporation date, etc. 

I would think that a notice with the addresses and legals of the two properties, including index numbers and such, attaching a certified copy of the name change order to each notice, should be sufficient if recorded against each property. 

Since I'm taking such a cash hit, I asked the sellers agent if they would be able to designate some portion of the sale price ($200k?)

HI @David SohnSituation 1: You don't pay for your brokers fee:In this situation you are not paying for a buyers agent and they would be paid via the seller.

probably a wholesale company.. get a second opinion from a local RE agent so you dont get hosed. 

Should I reach out to local agents, wholesaler like New Western?