Currently I'm working towards buidling out my network of good contractors, investors and in the process of finding a reliable and honest agent to work with.

I'm looking for a reliable and WELL priced contractor.Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations?

This is absolutely correct.At one point in time I made a calculation how many buyers you need to offload properties to like clockwork, and you only need a handful.Its quality (reliable buyers) here, not quantity!

Otherwise take it as a lesson and go to a more reliable payment method-like cash in hand with receipt issued, or check or ebt.

I tel this to a lot of people.90% of investors faul90%+ of investors do free methods like CC, D4$, Bandit signs etc. etc.Wholesaling is about RELIABLE, motivated lead generation.

How do I determine if the person I want to be on my team is trustworthy and reliable if I dont have anyone I'm familiar with in the area I want to invest?

I wouldn't be opposed to some rehabbing but considering I have no connections to reliable contractors I'm wary of getting in over my head with a large renovation right off the bat. 

But when it comes to reliable data - the kind you can bet your own money on? 

Finally, ask for bank statements or pay stubs to ensure that a candidate is in a financial position to reliably pay the rent.

We haven't had good luck with it finding reliable contractors that don't overcharge since they have to lay out capital before they can get paid.