I've identified and am under contract with something that fits my profile.

I've got my first property under contract and had it inspected a few days ago. i've looked over the inspection report and the major issues i see are related to foundation problems.

That being said,  I do believe that you can get all of those connections (and maybe find even better ones) once you really get up and running, and as stated by BP in some of their podcasts, you don't need to use contracts from an agent. 

But, things change and life surprises us.Ask the seller if they will do Seller Financing or a Land Contract or a Wrap (and have a title report and have an attorney put the paperwork together for you.)

You need to build a team on the ground who can go to your appointments and sign contracts.

We ultimately spent a week researching LOCAL deals again... and guess what, we closed a duplex last Friday, marketed the vacant unit while under contract and that unit was signed this past Monday as well.

I blindly signed a 8 year contract with the USMC that has turned out all right.

while it was under contract I talked to the old man who lived in front of it. 

We were under contract and our attorney ran title. 

I have the deal under contract now and am starting to talk to banks about Cash out refinance but it seems that in Texas you must live in the home to do a HELOC.