Is there any builders on here that I can shadow, or pick their brain?  

Do I really have to get a twitter and Instagram account, or start friending random people that I don't know, just to bring my friend and Like #s up?

I would love to get advice from individuals on the best way to pick these contacts up.

And if you cant even pick out a decent realtor, how on gods green earth are you going to pick out a good contractor, electrician, roofer, etc?

They may have sold them for dirt cheap to the listing agent/ part owner if I had to guess.I'm planning on picking up a buy and hold. 

From what I can see from the windows it seems the bank has kept the utilities and AC on, and aside from a carpet cleaning and some paint it is pretty clean.All that being said I'm am thinking of picking it up to rent for a few years, then I'll upgrade the kitchen and flooring and move into it, and rent my current home, or sell it depending on how strong the market is and move on to the next investment.Problem is that while I have awesome credit (820+) and work history, I only have maybe 5k cash I can use for the property, the rest needs to be mortgaged.

@Tariq Bahay excellent, now I should learn how to use a screwdriver, "Pick up screwdriver from handle with right hand" there ends lesson one.

I of course am looking for that distress property that has a 20% occupancy with utilities that can be separated out.Please pick apart my example for its flaws.

BUT REMEMBER you have to have confidence in these people SO you can't just random pick.

Otherwise, the bank provided me with a list (tape) that I could cherry pick from or do a mini bulk purchase.All I focus on is buying non performing 1st liens from banks and hedge funds.