If all this sounds overwhelming, find another reputable investor and team up with him/her. 

Even reputable companies and individuals may have lousy notes in their portfolios.

They seem to be more focused on picket fences and reassuring their principals that "yes, the color of the kitchen can in fact be changed with a can of paint rather easily". (2) You'll build a reputation among local investors and hopefully that will bring you more business and experience. 

Libel involves making false clames to ruin an individuals reputation.

Like investors and rehabbers don't already have a bad reputation and plenty of bad PR. 

This is an awesome way to start with zero risk on your part.First make sure you have a reputable wholesaler that you are dealing with...remember if you have the buyer, it' your reputation at hand.There's 2 ways to do this and I have done both.....You and the wholesaler can agree on a cut for you bringing the buyer in or, as long as there's enough meat on the bone, you can bump up the price of the wholesale deal and you keep the difference. 

As an upcomming investor, my reputation regarding being able to produce is on the line.

I would make sure you have any agreement you come to structured in writing by a reputable attorney so that both parties are clear on expectations, risks, and any other "what if" scenarios the attorney might propose.Don't let it deter you from doing a deal though.

In spite of what most people might think, integrity and reputation are very important in business of any kind.

Many investors that have gone the out of state route only to find it less than pleasurable experience will gravitate to First TD's you can find them with many reputable Brokers on the east coast and cash on cash in most cases you will do better than owning the asset and not have ANY management issues.