As for cash flow there are a lot of doctors/lawyers/visiting faculty/medical residents associated with duke that are looking for higher end rentals.   

And the bank will take 30 days to close, they require a credit report, etc.Instead, you go to your friend John, who's a doctor and has a lot of cash but not a lot of time.

I spoke with my agent, my tenant wrote up the letter with the doctor document. ( which is i don't trust him anyway, you can always ask your doctor a favor, might not serious issue and they can always make it up). 

Your doctor or lawyer dont give you gifts, why should your real estate professional?

Doctor, lawyer, now you have areas you can find them.

(Doctors love to invest) I Look forward to making many connections with the members of the BP family and possibly meeting face to face. 

Kind of like paying a doctor to take blood, or give routine shots.

The note was not signed but does appear to be from an actual doctor (though again - halfway across the country).

In fact years ago a local Doctor wanted to rehab & expand an old run down bungalow for an office & heard there was going to be a court injunction filed to preserve the building.

I would suggest searching through the forums for that specific topic as both have been discussed in detail on the forums.As far as finding deals, you can get access to MLS, you can direct market to motivated homeowners, you can build relationships with agents and brokers who can provide inventory, you can buy bulk, and the list goes on.As far as finding private investors, I always recommend that one start with those they know - family, friends, co-workers, dentist, doctor, CPA, neighbor, parents from kids school, etc.