From what my agent has said, agents/buyers aren't too willing to share too many details besides the usual "cash offers and quick closing" which are 2 things I can't really compete with.

That’s the point of an owner occupied loan.You are going to have a tough time competing against cash offers on properties with supposed 12% return on day 1.

.), once you can get an established relationship with a few of these key players and prove you are a ready to act on deals they refer to you, then finding these sort of properties should be a breeze for you!

So now ive now been through a parade for networking events where the host wants you to go wholesell for them, mingled through rooms full of people who are much bigger fish than me, or are offering hawkish deals to newbies. when i did find a good fit for me, the deal fell through several times and the other players found other deals.Looking for guidance from those who live or invest in the Houston,Tx areaThanks,MB

Usually there are enough terms in a MLPA that provide for recourse, assuming the buyer has completed competent due diligence.

You'll learn a ton just from being around some of the major players...  

I want to help him get familiar with the market and with the key players. 

That’s through Flagstar with them competing against a few other brokers to give me the best rates.

How can a newbie with little to put down compete with all cash or 50% down offers???

Providing that the Reserve Study was competently produced and is current (should be current in California since that is the law), take a look at the 30-year funding plan paying close attention to the direction of the annual reserve contribution and whether there are any surprises such as future special assessments, bank loans, or large contribution jumps.