With institutional real estate investments, the advice of an expert who works in the industry every day, knows all the players and their track records, and performs due diligence on each offering is a great benefit to you and comes to you at no cost.

You will also learn the players in your area who may also be willing to coach/mentor you.

Or do the TK guys play in that market...We don't have a lot of strong turn key players here.  

We have also had the most success by including our local partner as an equity player in the properties we own.

Fortunately, there are several Canadians present who can help out with questions about financing, regulation and taxation here at home.You might want to read some of @J Scott's posts and see how a misspent youth as a professional poker player can land you in the midst of a flipping business.

It's great to meet some of the local players.

Its pert near impossible unless you have millions and want to buy your way in by making no money on the first 10 or so .. as you prove to the cash up regulars that your a player

On the one hand, the flipper is a little guy and can be prone to overestimate ARV and underestimate rehab costs (though this is mitigated by understanding the market), and the real estate fund is a big player with more resources.  

The big players quickly work themselves into alternative investments that are still RE but not the same things that everyone gets gooey eyed over.  

I think women are reaching a critical mass as players in REI and we are here to stay!