Could you please recommend any local real estate agents?

As an active-duty (soon transitioning) Air Force myself, I know the VA loan is a powerful asset for us.

In my opinion it would be cleaner to split partnership based on monetary contribution and then remunerate each active party for their work if the active work is more on one partner than the other.

Yep check BP and Meetup.com or Eventbrite for local meetups @Baron Wheeler

Would love to connect with local RE agents and have an idea of the market situation in SA.

I'm actively searching for my next investment and would appreciate any advice from seasoned investors and developers.

By understanding the local market and organizing a strong support network, you will unlock varied opportunities for growth and long-run success.If you’re interested in learning more about how to get started or want to discuss specific opportunities in Phoenix, feel free to reach out to local experts or explore educational resources tailored to this market.How many foreclosures are there today vs 2010 or historical average in Maricopa county? 

Sounds like this could possibly be a Schedule C activity so keep self employment tax in mind.

@Andrew Wade first narrow down if you want to be an active or passive investor.

You need to actively talk to people about what you are doing, ask them for referrals to others that might be interested.