Online option? 

Decide how much money you have access to, & the zip codes, city or state you want to focus on.

I am hoping the education and access to MLS will aid me in finding better deals. 

I have access to about 20k in reserves for any unexpected issues. i was thinking of using private money to fund the rehab and refinance the property.

How-to books are inexpensive and in today's world, there are plenty of online blogs and forums loaded with useful knowledge.With preparation (focused self-study) and luck (random events), the right opportunity eventually presents itself.

Personally I think it's better than much of the other crap I have seen out there.My clause for Cozy (which I am using) looks like this.RENT PAYMENT PROCEDURE:Tenant agrees to pay their rent to Landlord by way of the Cozy online website link provided by the Landlord.

Is this an opportunity for mid western cities with better access?  

While doing research online I found Bigger Pockets and was introduced to a whole new world of Real Estate that I had never seen, REI.

., know that tenant cannot authorize work, only provide access, and that I will make myself available by phone/text/email, whatever they prefer, to discuss options while there to avoid future service calls if possible. 

(If it makes a difference for access to resources, we're in Denver, CO.)