I own a few single family homes and have always communicated via texts, emails.  

But not bad overall- most do shared branching so you can always acces via a different credit union in network. 

Figure out your boundaries and look for the best candidates who can be your roommates.

@Emily Wolters buy a 2-4 unit to live in and rent the rest, via FHA 203(k) mortgage, which has 3.5% investment and  allows financing of repairs.

Duplex can always add additional units via the ADU laws. 8) Related to number 1, purchasing a property with an existing ADU is cheaper than buying a property and adding an ADU.

By assigning an agreement to someone who then completes the purchase, you have in fact brought that consideration to the table at the time of the transaction.I'm wondering if there was some other intent of that language - such as to prevent a homeowner from being screwed out of their house via some "creative financing" scheme that benefits a 3rd party (e.g. investor) while not providing any (reasonable) compensation to the seller.

Then I'd buy some properties in growing areas that fit your risk profile with as little or as much down to make it flat to intrinsic(DSCR 1.0 to 1.25) via MLS or distressed and fix up(time consumption being a factor) and go deeper into these areas than wider in your reach.

It'll most likely be in the southeast unless something local drops in my lap. 

We have bought off the MLS, off market direct to seller, but haven't bought anything via wholesaler.

You can always tell a lot via body language and face to face interactions you won't get from emails or phone calls or Google searches.