One way to save some money, especially if you are local is to split the job. 

My local REI buddy called today.  

He mentioned some of her behaviors, and I asked if her name was XXXXX YYYYYY. 

As for meeting local wholesalers, networking at meetups or even online could help you connect with the right people. 

If you want to network or ask specific questions about your local market, go to your local real estate forum and connect with investors from your area: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/86-local-real-estate-networking5.

In Houston, you can either invest locally or explore strong Texas markets like San Antonio (affordable duplexes, strong job market), DFW suburbs (duplex-friendly zoning, growing economy), or Houston suburbs (Spring, Cypress, The Woodlands for good schools and tenant demand).

I am not sure how much you get involved but do your employees contact the realtor and discuss market rents, do the math to check leases versus market rents and which lenders use the "lesser of the two".Closing in an LLC versus personal name can also add a rate hit as well as Escrow or No escrow.

It also appears Investor's Edge may have rebranded from their old company name "Do Hard Money".Propstream screenshot:"Investor's Edge/Dohardmoney" screenshot:

You also want every adult to be named on the lease and sign it.

Unfortunately there competitiveness in the market and cut throat antics give the other offices (company) a bad name.