Find someone to partner up with who has the things you lack and vice versa.

If they don't like it, they can simply move out. 

Not all of us are bad but like every profession, there are those who fail due to lack of knowledge, lack of concern for the client, etc. 

What are the benefits of doing this vs. contacting investors directly and simply being a wholeseller (other than the fact I only know the one investor!)? 

I have the drive to find the deals and the team to support it as outline in one of the Bigger Pockets books but lack the initial Capital. 

Extremely rural is harder to sell simply because fewer people live in extremely rural areas.One of the weaknesses you show with your questions is that you have no buyers.

I just don't understand the appeal with the lack of deals and tenant laws.

I just have to be a contrarian here @Caleb Heimsoth  as Caleb states I cannot think of anything risker than remote rehab for beginners.. keep in mind the author is a very experienced real estate professional and what works for him simply is not germane for beginners I know they want to sell books on this site.. but I fear there is going to be some really sad people that try to do this and simply don't know what they don't know.. all to just save 5 to 10k  extra that a flipper that does all the work and takes all the risk makes bringing you a finished product.. you can lose 10 to 20k in a heart beat doing this if not more.. 

Low income tenants were very difficult to deal with, because they simply didn't have savings and any emergency resulted in them using rent money, with the idea that they'll catch up before the eviction was finalized.

I don’t do ACV right now simply because the cost difference is so minimal.