The time has come for me to start investing in real estate and before doing so i'm looking to build a strong and dedicated team of partners: agents, lenders, contractors and property managers mainly in the Cleveland area (but also open to markets within a 2-3 hr drive away) that already possess an excellent track record in their line of work and that value long term collaboration.

Milwaukee is an excellent market to get started in also. 

I stumbled on bigger pockets and was hoping to download those excel templates and to learn more about real estate.

It offers excellent potential for investors due to the multiple exit strategies available.

It's a fine line and we have easily a dozen other contractors who would give us excellent references about payment. 

I want to scale, but not sure how to develop my strategy.I have a $200k HELOC and excellent credit worthiness and high income from my day job.

I want a syndicator that is hungry to make his money by operating the deal with excellence, not getting paid up-front.Exactly.

Mentorship and joint ventures are excellent ways to gain experience, and it’s essential to start small, communicate clearly, and build trust.

This probably implies FIRE in his 20s, but I hope he is passionate about the path he has chosen and excels at it until at least a more traditional retirement age.He started the 2nd rehab he is leading.  

Excellent, @Chris Harper.