Networking, local meetups, door knocking, mailers, wholesalers, online forums specific to your area of interest.  

Quote from @Zach Howard: Quote from @Jonathan Greene: If you are looking at properties in the US only on Zillow, and not seeing them in person (I know you are in Hong Kong), this is just an effort in futility because you can't underwrite single-family or small multifamily deals only online.

I also recommend a bank that has local branch that you can go into vs having it 100% online.

It will be easy for you to check if they paid on time, as you can check instantly online.  

I’d love to hear about the crime rates or any other issues (which we cannot guess from the online stats), and how easy or hard it is to find reliable tenants and property management companies.

From my experience the first team member to recruit will be a local Project Manager-someone who wants to help you long term as your eyes in the field and boots on the ground. 

Unfortunately, while all the online places area great sources of information, you are much less likely to take action, or find someone to shadow, when online in a forum. 

I just got into wholesaling for more financial freedom and I am looking for a mentor to jv my first couple of deals with I see a lot of gurus online but i am not looking to pay for a course without any hands-on experience 

Since the last time I was online, I have grown the investing to fix and flipping and a portfolio of 4 properties that are producing passive income.  

I know this is a differing topic on the forums, and online in general, but having the legal background/education and knowing estate planning concepts you'll realize it shouldn't be.