I am currently working with investors in the Slidell and New Orleans area and would love to share any leads I pick up with you.

Not sure how large your budget is, but it could be worth picking 5-10 competitors each with their own ad group and trying this out with a $100/mo budget to see what kind of results you generate.

You just have to assume you'll go out to some field and pick your part. 

Please click on the links, give them a read, and share your thoughts in the comments.First is a post that I feel will help not get overwhelmed with the amount of info that is here on BP:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52761-the-simple-guide-to-getting-started-on-bpThe second is a post that will help get you focused with your real estate investing goals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/5868/52743-im-new-to-bp-any-advice-would-be-appriciatedThe last one is a post that will help you choose an “investor friendly” real estate agent.

As an example, a house that requires $50K in structural work to be inhabitable might be so difficult for other buyers to purchase that a smart investor can pick up that property for much, much less than $50K below market value (and keep the spread as profit).Now, you might wonder why a homeowner (or another investor) wouldn't come in and pay closer to market value, spend $50K on structural repairs and then have some equity in the house.

If it's just a matter of encapsulating what is there, and all the contractor is going to do is peel and stick a product on top of it, I would definitely prefer to do that myself and pick my own version of the wood product.  

Yes, I don't see cash for keys working because it won't be simple for them to find a different place as cheap or willing to take someone with inconsistent income.With no escape clause in the lease we were just counting days (months) til we can get tenants that meet our typical qualifying requirements.

They will only do a simple refi on any investment property (max 3 properties) and will not let you pull any cash out...period.

I mean you can pick up labor all on your own and contractors are a dime a dozen.

I don't think you (or anyone) should pick based on the brokerage but rather the broker's experience investing.