Who is the first person you call in that market to get started?

The customer is upset , I told him to give me a day to go thru my files . 

Personally I’d do a 1031 to save $40k, I’d skip the LLC, increase the limit on my umbrella, and call it a day.

Each person would pay $600 a month or even consider padsplit.

Your value is, to provide sellers that don't want to list, with a way to get cash for their house and provide buyers with discounted off-market properties they can buy to make a profit on.I am not saying it is not possible to wholesale from the MLS, but it seriously defeats the purpose.Focus on becoming the person/company that offers the most and best value and you will succeed.

What have been the best ways for you to grow your business while still having that personal touch?

Personally I would not go above 70% and when your done building mode drop down to roughly 50%.

It is what I personally do and I help clients do.

And personally, I stay away from OH because it's what herd think has long been and I worry how much of price is based on herd-actions or market metrics. 

This is anecdotal, but I come across of ton of GCs looking for spec-build financing in local meetups and networking groups, such as on facebook on in person meetups.