Did you actually look at these properties in person? 

I will keep my eye out to attend some of those gatherings, but I would still like to do an event off of bigger pockets.

It is extremely hard for the average person to afford a standard home, car, and investment property without any debt.

This could help you keep an eye on things when you’re not home regardless of the roommate situation.You might also want to look into a toilet tank lock or a tamper-proof lid.

Come by REI Central some time if you want to meet other investors in person.

It's tough for me to answer on a learning curve question I went to high school for architecture and college for construction management and I've never personally flipped a house, although I know how to budget and schedule it.

can you visit them in person? 

If that person want profit from each deal going along, you can make agreement with each deal you are doing. 

I probably will not renew with this person.2.

From personal experience, MLS deals are much less lucrative given their higher price points (typically).With respect to financing, you can talk to any of the hard money lenders on this site for different financing programs they offer (some are tighter with someone who has not yet executed a flip), you can take equity out on existing properties you have, you can use private loan from a friend or relative.