You don't really need to go with a big name brokerage, just get all of your class at the board and make sure you stay out of hot water. 

For example, I am looking at a REO in a hot market MA that can be acquired for $500K cash, that with repairs of $40K could be sold quickly for $625K and possibly closer to $650K. 

I had been wholesaling in a very hot seller's market and I had been doing it almost exclusively with the MLS so it was a tough go and, on top of that I was wholesaling to just one investor.I am now back for good with the firm resolution to never, ever stop again.  

I called the field service company that is maintaining the property to get access for inspection and found out that the instant hot water heater, according to their own reports, is likely bad.  

Is there another creative way to make my first purchase of a primary residence an investment in the hot Denver Real Estate Market?

@Sam Hodgett NE is a HOT area right now.

If you are focusing in Minnesota, where are the hot zones where investors are buying?  

Also, I know Austin is hot but pricing seems slim on the margins as well as competition.

In many ways I see it like not having a basement, or a garage or central air or a third bedroom for that matter.

I am in the Houston area, by the way - apparently the housing market is hot right now.