When it comes to a Realtor, you'll have the best success bringing the deals you find to them unless they specialize in working with investors and these Realtors have an e-blast marketing specifically for investment properties.

If you are not going to market your home and are going to give your house to Realtors to sell on an exclusive basis I would wait until you have the home finished as it takes a special talent to sell homes under construction as opposed to "show and tell".

I'll will be looking to retain a local attorney that specializes in RE.

And don't specialize in million dollar homes only, because that's where the majority of all other agents want their listings and buyers to come from.

As for % of equity, that's tough, though I'd think you should split it based on how much money the other person is putting in.

I'd agree with @Chris L. it's tough to manage a rehab from a far and usually your gut instinct is right.

Scott The Book on Flipping Houses,The Book on Estimating ReHab Costshttp://www.biggerpockets.com/flippingbookConsider checking out HUD homes for small multi's owner occupied gets first crack.You might consider Niche or Specialized Housing like student housing.

Working with brokers/agents who specialize in that asset class and are also investors is even better.Lot's of overpriced and marginal properties out there in multifamily as well.

Scott The Book on Flipping Houses,The Book on Estimating ReHab Costshttp://www.biggerpockets.com/flippingbookConsider checking out HUD homes for small multi's owner occupied gets first crack.You might consider Niche or Specialized Housing like student housing.

So, yes - sites like Zillow and Trulia do get most of their info from the MLS, as they have a special license to do so.