@Lucas Gibson I would consider working as a leasing agent for a large and reputable management company for 1-3 years.

Also, how does one ensure that doesn't happen aside from the sponsor's reputation.

Work with a reputable GC and be sure to have a plan in place in case of delays. 

I am looking at turnkey offers in some of the reputed cash flow markets on BP.

When you have enough equity, cash out and pay off enough investments to live on the cashflow of the free and clear investments after proper PM+soft costs or dump it into a reputable syndication that will pay out what's needed +20% buffer to be truly passive.Of course we'll still plan to have 6-12 months of reserves in place for each rental PITI that should/could cover anything that comes up and ensure the new residences LTR/STR rates should cover the holding expenses once we can move out.What am I not thinking of that may bite me?

That's the main reason why wholesaling gets a bad reputation - too many newbies getting houses under contract at way too high of a price and eventually letting the seller down. 

She said it's not unheard of for less-than-reputable agents to use this as almost a hedge in rapidly increasing markets. 

However, you are just starting out and looking to build relationships and a reputation.

Most reputable manufacturers can not deliver you a building until 2022 if you ordered it this month.

But I’m in a smaller market and have a tremendously good reputation in the community that I want to capitalize on.