What information or materials would I need to file one?

The labor and materials cost varies widely in different markets.

Not saying I would abandon this if I can't qualify for the material participation, but it is a factor.Any input is much appreciated!

An idea we have is, I am burnt out from W2 life, and wife makes great money (+$300k) , and I could take the year to repair/renovate, manage, rent, repeat the units in the MF qualifying for REPS status (50%, 750hrs, material participation, etc). 

While we initially planned to keep the property to retain as a rental we determined that the current market would offer a better return if we sold it as well as allow us to pay back the HELOC we leveraged of our home to work through the flip being it had a higher interest rate.

Compared to pre-TCJA rules, there is no material change in the tax treatment of a building involved in a like-kind exchange, where a cost segregation study has been performed.

I am wondering if anyone would recommend any real estate investing courses, podcasts, books, or any other educational material that has helped them in their own career? 

Both cars are Toyotas, so they retain their values. 

Or often, no buyer materializes and the wholesaler does one of two things, bails out, or goes back to the seller and makes some excuse as to why they need another length of time.

As a result, we're able to retain the full pet fee, creating a win-win-win situation for everyone involved.