Don't listen to naysayers, don't listen to 'get rich now' Sayers, stick somewhere in the middle.  

I currently have 4 SF rentals and am in the middle of my first true flip.

But, we don't Exactly what contracts are in place, but you'll either have to settle with the owners, or sue them and the middle man, likely the latter.  

I'm in the middle of a mail campaign.

If lending could keep pace with the demand, you'd see home prices launch into interstellar space.Still, if they're bailing out, buy what ever they will sell you at the lowest price you can get.Tight-fisted lending will continue to support the rental market for the reasonably foreseeable future, IMHO.

I am a middle school science teacher with NYC.

And conventional lenders will have issues with deals where a wholesaler is in the middle. 

We had to appeal the initial value and increased it from 145 to 190k, because the appraiser said it was fine to have the appraisal done in the middle of the re-roof.  

My question is, how is it that the investor doesn't just skip you (the middle man) and work with the seller theirselves?

My question is, how is it that the investor doesn't just skip you (the middle man) and work with the seller theirselves?