Knowing the market, inside track on big players, gaining access to the realtor community for networking and knowledge.

The key is that the QI must be involved in the purchase prior to closing, the Purchase and Sale Agreement (and any escrow related documents) must be assigned to the QI so that the QI is now acting as the seller before closing so that when they wire the funds to the closing they are really wiring funds to a closing that the QI has control over as the seller. 

With you designing though, you might be able to control these costs a little more.3.

How to control what you leave in the deal?

The question is how involved do you want to get with your investments and how much control do you want?

If you want to get control of this property so you can sell a different property and 1031 into the property you control then the answer is totally different.  

Also, for a fix and flip, who are some key players, you would want to have on your team (ex. roofer, painter ) I have tried meet-ups, but I haven't encountered many people who are willing to share their connections. 

It's not always a deal breaker, just another variable that you don't have control of.

The problem is too many potential homeowners have no self control when it comes to spending and credit.  

Market knowledge is your secret sauce the more you know about your market, the key players the properties within the better positioned you will be to move.When it comes to approaching other investors and agents, you have to build that relationship gradually, be involved in the networking events you attend and take part in conversations and try to add value, and soak it all in.