My background is in Social Work, with a Master's degree.

As part of his investment of capital into scaling, he hired a marketing firm specializing in SEO, SEM, social media, direct email, etc.  

Social media profiles, how many properties people have owned, and what they accomplished were simply lies to get people to invest with them or get new people to raise money for them.

Although those guys had brick and mortar and where very good at what they did ( screwing people)this new crop are just hiding behind social media and their key board. 

If you put any information on social media you are practicing real estate without a license.

Any inputs on pros / cons of either aside from the supposed cost implications?

Social media has really messed it up for my generation.

Meetups, conferences, social media - connecting with as many people as makes sense and just discussing investing and what you do and if you found X would they be interested in investing with you.

List the property on MLS or with a trusted real estate agent, and market aggressively through social media, local advertising, and open houses to generate interest.

I can’t tell from your post if you lived in the property during renovations, if this is your 1st flip, if you rented it, or your intent at purchase and these are important details that have significant tax implications....