You are in an ideal situation to rehab and flip.

I know of brokers that charge monthly desk fees, but that will not be ideal for a part time agent.

Areas with known reputable property management companies wth references are obviously ideal areas to start looking. 

I am certainly willing to sign a long-term lease, especially in an ideal location.

Ideally without loosing your income.The company should be able to get where you are coming from.  

Ideally, I'd like to get the first deal by sometime this summer and flip it by sometime in the fall.  

Ideally 3bd, 2ba, over 1000 sqft. 

Or considering its a rental and not a flip, would you consider it acceptable just not ideal?

It would be ideal to have a dealer set up 10-20 homes and sell them directly the tenants and finance them, taking us out of the picture, I just don't know if that is feasibleLet me know what you think or if I can clarify anything.Thanks again 

I'll also look into the dead for purchase option if the property could be subdivided in the future.As for building before an agreement was signed, I agree that is definitely not ideal, but there is some flexibility in dealing with a family where we are all on good terms versus a typical business need.