The idea of offering bird dog services in the Akron/ Canton Ohio area is one that I have been considering for some time now.

I wonder who would be at the top of the bird dogs buyer list?

I just put the bird dog on the contract with me and then when I wholesale it, we both get assigned our price.

personally I would start by being a bird dog.  

We have been trying to train a young man to bird dog for our wholesaling business. he is in his early 20s and seems to be very interested in doing this for us. he doesn't have transportation other than a bicycle or friends that can pick him up and he also doesn't have a job or any money.

Hahahaha....down to character, but I've got a moment and it amuses me that you don't get how deeply you've stepped in it.I started real estate investing in 2000, like most do, bird dogging and wholesaling. 

These programs tend have higher rates accompanying them as well though. 

The plan was to purchase, rehab/update (requires about $5k-$10k) and have it ready to resell by around winter/spring 2018 or earlier, in time for when the "snow birds" from the northern states are vacationing and looking for property to purchase.  

It sounds like "snap flipping" is basically "bird dogging" . 

You might consider both (asking for references, and scouting the early bird material buyers in different sections of store) so that you have contacts for quick-and-dirty jobs, as well as larger projects.