Many mortgage shops do NOT allow their loan officers to also be RE agents on the same transaction to much of a conflict of interest. 

It's crazy to think some RE agents are suggesting owners to put their houses up cause fed funds reduced, they completely misunderstand but I let the market do what it does-- market.

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

Finding an agent, finding contractors, overseeing repairs, finding a property manager, finding tenants, etc.

It was a gut punch to see the tenants whose income we were counting on mass exodus the building right after we closed Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Partnering with a wholesaler sounds fine, but check the real estate licensing laws in your state before bringing a buyer for a commission.You might consider getting your real estate agent's license and legitimately earn what your skills, drive, and experience truly command. exactly wholesaling or bird dogging is not a life time or long time occupation  RE sales can be lifetime and if your any good at it at about year 10 you should be getting all your sales from referrals and such.

Owner is acting as listing agent."

I live in Phx but we do most of our investing out of state, so I’m not also the most current on local trends: so find yourself a good local agent to confirm that:- it’s going to be hard to find anything at < $150k / door.

I met with fellow investors & agents in these markets. 

Imagine me asking my attorney for $35K worth of free court appearance /advise or a real estate agent to forgo the 6% fees on selling of a home or demanding my property manager give me 20 years of free property management or going to Best Buy every week and coming out with a cart full of electronics good without paying, etc.