Forgive my engineering spelling in my last response.

Does anyone with a burning desire to succeed though with no money of his own and probably zero credit potential have any place in this wholesale game at all?

If you or anyone you know is interested in making some money doing some engineering let me know.

Software engineers and other professions are pretty lucrative right now.  

So to avoid burning a possible bridge, I just say if the deal falls apart give me a call, I'm ready to buy.

This is what can be done in Illinois: Answer the telephone, take messages, and forward calls to a licenseeSubmit listings and changes to an MLSFollow up on a transaction after a contract has been signedAssemble documents for a closingSecure public information documents from a courthouse, sewer district, water district, or other repository of public informationHave keys made for a company listingDraft advertising and promotional materials for approval by a licenseePlace advertisingRecord and deposit earnest money, security deposits, and rentsComplete contract forms with business and factual information at the direction of and with approval by a licenseeMonitor licenses and personnel filesCompute commission checks and perform bookkeeping activitiesPlace signs on propertyOrder items of routine repair as directed by a licenseePrepare and distribute flyers and promotional information under the direction of and with approval by a licenseeAct as a courier to deliver documents, pick up keys, etc.Place routine telephone calls on late rent paymentsSchedule appointments for the licensee (does not include making phone calls, telemarketing, or performing other activities to solicit business on behalf of the licensee)Respond to questions by quoting from published informationSit at a property for a broker tour that is not open to the publicGather feedback on showingsPerform maintenance, engineering, operations, or other building trades work and answer questions about such workProvide securityProvide concierge services and other similar amenities to existing tenantsManage or supervise maintenance, engineering, operations, building trades, and securityPerform other administrative, clerical, and personal activities for which a license is not requiredIn Illinois, an unlicensed assistant may NOT perform the following tasks:Host open houses, kiosks, home show booths, or fairsShow propertyInterpret information on listings, titles, financing contracts, closings, or other information related to a real estate transactionExplain or interpret a contract, listing, lease agreement, or other real estate document with anyone outside the employing licensee’s firmNegotiate or agree to any commission, commission split, management fee, or referral fee on behalf of a licenseePerform any other activity for which a real estate license is required

Finding out the surprises are part of your due diligence by getting the right professionals (home inspector, electrician, structural engineer etc)  If you're newer, avoid older houses as they tend to have more surprises and code violations when you start opening up walls. 

So, before you younger impressionable types ready to burn up the real estate world jump in, you better learn the basics of real estate first.

I realize I would be burning my bridge with these investors if I did that, but I don't care at this point, because I would not work with them in the future anyway. 

I know a handful of people who really got burned in that market.