I also try to devote at least four hours a day on the weekend.

I have a lot of free time that I can devote to this career.

Bottomline these type of properties usually require an exceptional amount of care and a long distance investor is just not going to be there to give it that care and in most cases a management company will not have the time to devote to it.  

Also, I strongly suggest that you check the Ultimate Beginners Guide:http://www.biggerpockets.com/ubgYou might also find the Podcast interested, especially as they have a few episodes devoted to beginners.

In regards to your last few sentences, it is my opinion  (developed over the past 12 years) that there are far more investors out there who are strong buyers and they have NO DESIRE to develop the skills listed above and are not going to devote any time to actively investing in real estate.  

I also don't have the time to devote to being on-site all the time like I was with this flip.

My devotion would be marketing, finding leads, making offers, and makeover rehab work.

I'm very much in the early stages but plan on continuing to read as much materials as I can, and of course have already begun listening to the BP podcasts.Going to keep an eye out for local get-togethers as well because I hear the community here at BP is one of the finer ones you will find anywhere.If anyone from Chicago, whether it be downtown or the suburbs is ever interested in exchanging information or needs assistance (I have devoting a substantial amount of my time in this field now), please do not hesitate to contact me.

You need to see how you communicate, things in common, are they honest, judge integrity, you may not need the most successful you may want more knowledge and experience with an agent that doesn't have to beat their head in to stay afloat, they may have retired from another profession so they may have time to take more interest in you.You're looking for a personal business relationship, not a girl friend or drinking buddy, but someone who has ethical standards, knows the business is current understands investing aspects and that has time to devote attention to you.

Personally, I would focus on exhausting my free education resources while devoting time networking locally and asking questions here.