Now that you have learned from the podcast, reading material, etc. the best thing at this point is to really put yourself out there.

Or are those tough to find, hence people's reliance on turnkey companies?

I understand that the first couple of years would be tough but once I start to add in the apartments that get renovated and then store fronts my monthly income jumps to $8,875.So when I do the math with this number $8,875 monthly income with a 5% vacancy rate and 30% operation expenses + my mortgage ($1,400) for the construction loan my cash flow total is $4,502 a month which I split with my investor. 

Ask them to help you begin to estimate rehab material and labor costs: How much to replace 20 windows?  

Times get tough, values drop to $60.

With expenses that high it makes it pretty tough to cash flow, especially with the $500/month COA dues.   

So finding a deal with enough meat on the bones in the Los Angeles area is tough (for me, at least), so I've started to look at foreclosures.

I would like suggestions on books, posts, material, etc.

You would be better off buying 2 $250,000s than 1 $500,000So, not knowing anything about your family situation, finances or construction skills, in general, I think a new home would be a tough strategy to work. 

You are required to disclose, as well as use the registered name on all marketing material related to brokerage services, you may also want to have in writing a policy or agreement with your broker regarding compensation related to your wholesaling activity, I think you are getting into some difficult practices, be sure to have your ducks in a row