I have no local mentors in the Atlanta area who I would more than willingly work for to help establish myself and my partner in the wholesaling business.

If you don't have much equity and the house doesn't cash flow, you are then really banking on appreciation, and that's a gamble in my opinion.

Should I establish a relationship with these companies first?

I suggested he could occupy the 1/1 for a month or two while he established a team and ran the 3/2, then move out and offer both as STR either together or separate.   

Definitely makes sense given it’s one property where we’re living in as well.We don’t have a lease yet or anything established (not planning on renting out until late 2021).

An area where young people are leaving, not moving to, is generally not a good sign, for example.It sounds like you have to do some more research and establish what your criteria should be for investing in a market that serves your needs and meets your financial objectives.

We split the profit (60k after all expenses).My advice:-Make sure to establish an LLC or Corp-Get everything in writing (joint venture agreement).

@Sulaiman Shah : You said that you had new credit - do you mean that you just began establishing credit?

Helotes is more established with continued growth, whereas the area around Laurel Mountain is still pretty fresh and under development. 

Kodak is a great example about how an established household name failed to innovate and ultimately died.