I now have a good understanding of hard money and would use it as my last resort but the exit strategy is my fear...some hiccup leading to potential risk.  

I'm a hot lead and these guys won't answer their phones.

You have all these folks that don't even know what to do with a lead spending money sending out this stuff ... when if they were smart they would spend that money getting a RE linense and learn the business and become a RE professional than a wanna be investor wholesaler with no money and what ever credit and money they had just went up in smoke sending out letters with no ability to follow up or keep the campaign going there is no doubt you can get business with direct mail but most don't understand its a multi year commitment and many thousands of dollars. if you just blow your wad and your done then you will be broke and done and off to your cube to work for the man LOLPS I don't send out colleague request as I don't know how to do that I only accept them.

There's nothing in the article that leads me to believe that he did anything extraordinary other than save (not spend) $10,000 worth of summer job money.  

People love to argue that my leads aren't free.

We plan on making $30,000-$60,000 and reinvesting half of our profits back into marketing in order to expand our lead generating channels.

Also, something that can lead to long term wealth (I'm not looking to get rich quick). 

It seems like you got one good lead from them that panned out and decided to file form 1065 immediately thereafter.  

If you can bring them leads they will open up on how they do their systems.

Fixer, land contract, or short sale...Any advise or lead is highly appreciated.ThanksSam