Alternatively, you can put your agent's name on the contract, and do the acquisition work yourself.I highly recommend not making offers without seeing the property first. 

Aside from learning as much as I can through books, online forums, and the BP podcasts, should I look for a local investor that flips homes and offer my contracting services?

I would write a contract or have an agent write a contract to them. 

Is it possible to propose a seller financing option to a buyer with a property you have under contract from a wholesale deal?

If that furnace is oil or natural gas/propane it will most likely be in the rage of 60 - 70% efficient.  

Purchase price is $38,500Rehab is $35,000Hard money loan points Insurance is $1600 for the yearElectric, gas, water bill was $1000+Property taxes- $2,600Arv $160,000Profit- TO be determined Lessons learned- priceless My first deal is about to be under my belt.

today I'm seeing my attorney about revising a contract to use for terms on the buyer side and on the assignment side.

I am assuming that, given the parameters of Homepath, there is nothing I can do and no way to negotiate this into the contract, but I wanted to see what others thought. 

I am in contract on my first flip and would like to get more in depth with tax strategy or a possible 1031. 

I've done the rehab all myself so far with the exception of contracting out the new HVAC installation and electrician and I've gained a great deal of experience and appreciation for what is involved.