What is the most effective way to find a real estate agent that is well versed in investment properties 

Hey Jason, the best way to find these distressed properties (off-market deals), you have to either do it yourself, which is a full-time job calling and building relationships with these cold sellers, or find investor-friendly agents/wholesalers sourcing these deals for you.

Are you working with a buyers agent currently?

Just like @Devante Scholfield said, get to know the seller or agent by asking questions.

Last part- Start networking with local investors and/or investor friendly agents near Newark who may have answers to the questions above.The only way to reduce risk is to educate yourself. 

If you're a licensed agent, you should NOT be involved in wholesaling since it's' obviously counterintuitive to a client's best interests - selling the home for the most money. 

About 6 years ago I started developing relationships with agents and prospecting out of state markets to find the best possible deals and cash flow.

Im a local investor, agent and cohost.

Not a red flag, usually this means the owner didn't have the property for very long, or are just lazy.I would try to squeeze the agent to ask if the seller can provide a list of improvements made on the property over their ownership if any.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?