@Chris Adams - Welcome to the site - the Twin Cities is still a great place to find deals.You should consider attending this event next weekend - great content and networking:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521/topics/37...

We have already had 2 of them and they were well attended.

I have sent out roughly 1,200 letters since attending that course to hopefully find some sellers motivated to sell a house, but so far i've not found much. just curious how others first flip was like?

You could try attending upcoming local events here https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521-events-and-happenings, it will get you get to know local investors and maybe potential investing partners.

I found a local reia and will attend and take it from there.

Attend the local REIAs and meetups... talk to as many people as you can and ask them in person where they buy.

Josue Castro if I am not mistaken from what I heard, worry about getting a deal first and then concern yourself with the contract....Then, my guess would be attend your local R.E.I club and see what lawyer they use or recommend and then Communicate if you can assign or double close depending the state

I attend a few of the REIAs in town.

Connect and network with others on here and attend local meetups.  

I attended the NE Multi-Family breakfast weeks ago and there were 5 speakers gave speeches on the coming years in Portland market.