That being said, I would just try a white pages search using the name of the person on the title with the county recorder.

The vast majority of wholesale flip deals I see are put out at 74% to 78%, variances based on location of property, desirability, whether it's a small-time wholesaler or a large organization (i.e. experience and/or size of buyer pool), and potential net profit.  

It has to organically work or I move on. 

Once you have an idea of the value you can decide whether to go ahead with getting and recording clear title. 

I've recently found a local REIA and another investor organization that I am excited to be joining in January. 

Then I added a bunch of cash flowing rentals over the years and established a proven track record via tax returns, and suddenly I became unacceptable risk for the bank due to DTI.

If you are doing #1-3 having never tried #4, better get a darn good referral from a disinterested 3rd party whose only affiliation is having a long track record of successful investments with the provider/sndicator, since you will not be a good judge and will be entirely reliant on these "boots on the ground".

Seems like the investor has a good track record with FNMA being as though they accepted his bid over yours for over $2K less.

I would say to start building your passive income now, and when you have sufficient passive income (with enough of a track record to prove it, which banks want 2yrs) then think about leaving the job.  

@Suzy Angelo  can take time for the county records to catch up with new recordings could be simple as that