That should do the trick (eventually anyway!)  

Eventually a visit is in order, but before that step, are there  recommended resources for getting the scoop on particular neighborhoods within a city?

I live in the Western suburbs of Minneapolis and am mainly interested in flips and possibly wholesaling to get some cash to eventually start investing in more longer-term rentals.

Most people don't know the difference, so it's an easy way to save time and cut corners but will eventually bite you in the ***. 

For sure there are pros and cons about both shares and loans, but it will all depend on your business network and the amount of time, money and resources you have.From a business point of view, if I eventually do decide to give shares, I would open a separate corporation for each property.

Just wait when these out of state investors try to sell...any cash flow will likely be wiped out and many are stuck with that reality of taking a loss eventually.

Either way, you can then rehab it and flip or rent out, at a higher price than the first and keep the spread and own it eventually, paying off the 1st. 

You better make sure you have an exit strategy as they will eventually want their money back. 

My preferences for REI would be for fixing and flipping properties and eventually buy and hold. 

Eventually I will sell the home.