My life time goal is to become a wise and reputable investor and am taking my first step by signing up to BiggerPockets.

Send out mailers, hand out business cards, create an investment company and build  it's reputation are all ways to start.  

Any reputable contractor does not "need" payment upfront to get started.

We continue to be recognized as an industry leader and are awarded and vetted by reputable institutions in our industry for same.

That cost most likely will have to come out of your pocket.b)You will have to have a signed bid from reputable general contractor showing a total coast of the project.c)Etc.This is just general approximation and true requirements might differ and be more demandingGood luck,GeorgePs, I prepared my answer before I saw your answer to Brent and I did not bother changing it to reflect things you already answered.

Do yourself a favor and establish a relationship with a reputable hard money lender.

Out side of our broker issue we fell the market in Anchorage is primed for a honest reputable new player in the property management feild.

Greg has an awesome reputation in town.  

Need help finding a tenant...very nice Duplex but street has a bad reputation...not sure where else to look...not taking Section 8/DSS... 3/4 BD...1921 brick/stucco duplex...all hardwood floors.  

It is not worth the reputation to sell these properties to out of state investors, in my opinion.Now local investors are a different story and same goes for do-it-yourself investors and landlords.