In today's climate and in your locale, I'd suggest a 3 prong attack... 1) I'd cultivate/work on Bank REO's as well as look for bargains that will sell fast, 2) Pick out an active upscale area of about 300-700 homes and start farming. 3) I'd hold open houses as often as possible in your new farm area.

There is such a limited number of what I consider to be "true" appraisers, who examine their market on a daily basis, poring through market data and cultivating the relationships with the deal makers.

( Maybe, cultivate a private lender list?)

Consequently, it behooves savvy investors to cultivate relationships with multiple lenders.

You'll make less but you need to cultivate a relationship with the wholesaler.

I know the real estate market cultivate a vast majority of these kinds of people.

To be successful in real estate is to have some basic understanding of what you want to accomplish, an understanding of how to get there and then a cultivation of CONFIDENCE to get there.  

Off-market leads need to be cultivated. 

But get this -- he can't see worth a damn up close, and he refuses to wear reading glasses because they don't go with the look he cultivates.

As you have figured out, you really can't grow in this business without  cultivating a few private lender resources.