That could be a great way to find and stay engaged with local investors, realtors and opportunities. http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsYou can also search for other investors or brokers in your target markets and follow their journey on Bigger Pockets here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/search/usersBest of luck to you and look forward to following your journey!

The challenge is to see how long you can keep the game going. 

is it wise to engage the listing agent directly to draft offers?

These aren't issues that are specific to flipping and should be a primary focus for any real estate investment - The bottom line is that you made a profit despite the challenges you faced - and congratulations for that - but it seems to the bystander that you gambled with another investor's money while investing very little of your own - you put yourself in the position of a teacher or mentor when in fact you are not extremely experienced in the business of flipping - consider how you would feel if you lost a portion of your partner's investment....Today I am closing on the purchase of my 15th flip for the year, and I wouldn't dream of taking on an investment partner who wasn't equally experienced and had an equal say in the decision process.Good Luck with your future projects and Happy Investingjeff 

That could be a great way to find and stay engaged with local investors, realtors and opportunities. http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsLooks like you've already made some connections with BP members there in your neighborhood...You can also search for other investors or brokers in in Tacoma / Olympia / JBLM, and follow their journey on Bigger Pockets here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/search/usersBest of luck to you and look forward to following your success on BP!

I've found it's a bit of a challenge getting terms I can qualify for here in LA. 

For my first time, it may not be wise for me to take on such a challenge just yet.

When you become a landlord it become challenging when you start having to deal with humanity...especially when it's a different lifestyle than you are accustom to. 

Yes, the insight Paul provided in this episode will certainly help those of us that want to keep pushing and looking for more challenges/opportunities.

That's how I'm approaching this challenge, prepare as you mentioned by learning from others but then taking the leap and inevitably making a few mistakes of my own.