However your about twenty times more likely to get a hole in one at Augusta then stumble across an agent with that skill level and integrity. 

I agree, this guy is way ahead of me skill wise. 

Yes, it takes skill to have an owner take a note for part of their equity, you must be the expert in the room, but not so much that you scare them.

Especially in someplace liek New Bedford, with no shortage of options.

I pulled off a toilet with no plumbing skills or idea how to reset it.

In order to be a skilled wholesaler, you need to be able to find deals with a lot of equity, determine ARV and repair costs correctly, good marketing and interpersonal skills (you talk over the phone to motivated sellers) etc.  

I paired up with an older broker who complimented my skill sets (financial analysis and marketing) with (years of experience, negotiation and talking to investors / pipeline of deals).

I've connected with someone I'm planning on partnering with based off or professional relationship and his organizational and business skills.

. $16k of the profit was manufactured by good negotiation skills!

Negotiating is an important skill to learn....not in the slick, wheeler-dealer sense, but in the sense that helps other people see your point of view and lets them know you're considering theirs.