Especially hearing that Arianne was an SPL (which is what I went to school for), and how she deals with being a woman in a male dominated industry such as real estate investing.

The contractor in particular that I have been talking to is a strong local player with connections throughout the town. 

You should know your audience and realize that you have already had responses from some "big players" in the game.  

I can see why wholesaling dominates that end of the business.. because these guys can charge 10 to 20% and buyers could give a rip if it meets what they will pay.. but let a real estate agent charge more than 6% and every one screams like a stuck pig..

LOL.my guys all take title then resell. really as simple as that .. so maybe that's one thing you should investigate as well. especially if your dealing with low value assets that don't take to much to buy them.. nothing like controlling your inventory.. makes you a true player and a proud investor

This is likely one of the main reasons why really big players haven't invested in the industry yet. 

Most of the big players use some sort of software called underwriting desk or something and if you fit nicely into their lending model then it spits out an approved.

(Professional ball Player)Your results are not common, sorry to read!

The good ones will know who other players are.  

Now, this is not to say every bank will look at it this way (the company I work at does) but, its definitely something to consider when you're doing mortgage planning for your REI acquisitions going forward.A way to get more than 10 is to mix and match portfolio or local community/commercial bank financing (US bank commercial lending is a national player in this field) with conventional financing strategies.