Perhaps the easiest option is to simply offer the lead to someone else for a referral fee if it works out.

The easiest way to address these issues is to take that end buyer to a mortgage originator and have them underwrite the deal thereby passing much of the liability on to that mortgage originator.

That does not mean it is the easiest at all.

There's a chance the tax ramifications may prevent the gifting and he may keep the property in his name.

If you're just getting started, the easiest entry into real estate investing is assignments, or flipping as you called it.

The retailer that makes this the easiest will have a big head start when it comes to getting our business.4.

Here's a decent summary link:http://www.axa-equitable.com/plan/estate/gift-tax.html

I have given this book as a gift many times over the years.

Caveat emptor.I read your expectations that the wholesaler should have, under the umbrella of being a "team effort with wholesalers and buyers", given you a gift of $30-40K.

The easiest way to find one when you are starting out is marketing to your sphere of influence.