I've lost interest in some of the forums I used to participate in just because my own focus has changed.

Removing all skills from the equation, if you don't take a break from participating as a real estate investor in some way each day, you will stay far ahead of everyone else who keeps subbing themselves out and then asking to get back in when the game is already out of reach.

Hi @Nicholas L. and @Chris Seveney a few weeks after my post, they did a part 2 for the survey and 2 days ago, the Zoning Dept. emailed out an update for the proposed policies.Here's their message:"We want to keep you informed and share a preview of the proposed Short-Term Residential Rental Ordinance regulations and express our gratitude for your invaluable feedback and participation in Phase I and Phase II of the Alexandria Short-Term Residential Rental Study.

I'm going off the understanding that you still need to spend 500+ hours in the business to achieve material participation (please correct me if I'm wrong). 

Bigger Pockets also vets lenders a bit before allowing them to participate in the Bigger Pockets Find A Lender tool so they've already done some of the due diligence for you. 

But consumers all are on the site for free where real estate agents are constantly hawked to buy leads or participate in what is now a 35-40% referral business for unvetted leads who think they are contacting the listing agent.Their business model has always been flawed.

We have participants from all over the US so I'm sure you'd find someone near you.

After about 8 weeks I just stopped participating.

as a flipper, with the participation of a wholesaler and a hard money lender, what actions should I take BEFORE I close and buy a house (tell me step by step please because i dont really understand the sequence of events) and also please tell me when to do due diligence to make sure how much does it cost to renovate the house and is it worth buying this house?

Welcome to BiggerPockets, or at least welcome to participating in the forums.