If you find one who has rental properties and has first hand experience that can be VERY helpful.The conflict of interest is a common question, but really a non-issue if you consider the size of the market and how many properties an agent can buy.My team and I work with a lot of investors and yes I personally buy a handful of properties every year, but there are about 30,000 transactions every year in Milwaukee.

I have personally not worked on any of these but it does not seem to be anything too crazy.It's an FHA Loan that can be combined with other FHA products like a 203k.I am a Loan Officer for "Correspondent Lender" so I can operate under the rules of over 100 lenders...I would be able to place this in a few hours with 1 email...We would just have to make sure all the boxes are checked...Energy Efficient Improvements Must Be Cost-EffectiveThe financed portion of an Energy Package must be cost-effective.

Potential locations for my first buy preferably somewhere close to where I reside (Virginia, Maryland, or North Carolina).

Just recognize that you will have lower payments but that money will be illiquid so your personal financials also come into play

Who should that person be?

talk to the dept of health first (records requirements etc), establish what upgrades/maintenance required, line up a reliable repair/handyman/type person, consult lawyer, and then make your offer, see if you can buy the land it's on via lot line adjustment (ideal scenario). a lot to be aware of, such as system upgrades or county code changes bringing in the requirement to add metered connections to an older small system, for just one example.Otherwise- owner doesn't want to manage, I doubt you really do either but could be wrong. 

Offer cash for keys to person but money is only after they leave and property is left in broom swept condition3.

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.

Have they explained why they prefer upfront payment?

This person should ideally be familiar with real estate investment strategies and flipping houses in particular.