Particularly, I found Dallas/Fort Worth area interesting due to their large number of new builds/communities.

How much was the property worth 10 years ago?

Yes, discounting the rent for a person for their eyes and ears on the property is worth it's wait in gold- but make sure you choose the right person, not necessarily the person that talks the most! 

This is typical of retail transactions with conventional financing, and that's why CASH IS KING when it comes to investment properties on the scale we are talking about. 

Their properties aren't the best for investment (unless you're a high net worth individual) and they generally focus on lifestyle properties if I'm not mistaken.3.

The cost of make-readies can eat up a year's worth of cash flow.

I am looking to find more off market homes in the surrounding Rural Markets of Ft Worth for flipping and/or keeping for rentals 

DSCR Loans are typically great for STR purchases - however, DSCR Lenders are going to require at least some "skin in the game" - so won't be able to have a 2nd lien for the down payment. 

In the Dominican Republic we are not experts in ham or cheese but if something stands out from other countries it is our mixed indigenous, European and African cuisine, they are a rum manufacturer, Mabi de behuco Indian is a typical Dominican drink, mamajuana, banana mangu green, sancocho and other dishes.

So if you are looking to meet agents, wholesalers, maybe a couple lenders, or some investors that have done a few flips or own a couple SFRs, you will find many people there.This isn't to say they are bad, but in the several dozens I have attended, they have not been worth my time, professionally or personally.