You are the end product of their meticulously designed sales pitch, and they use every buzz word to lock up your emotions in just the right way.

I am slowly getting comfortable with pulling the trigger soon but would like to know of quality/trustworthy agents, mortgage brokers, and property managers in the area that I could utilize since I am not physically in the area.

I could see the usefulness in the future becoming a Designated broker at an office I open up with a partner. 

If there's no equity offer them an amount your comfortable with to transfer the deed to you thereby giving you redemption rights.  

I picked this one as my model.I am a graphic designer and web developer, so I used Photoshop to try out some different color possibilities for our house.OriginalHere I am testing color samples.This gives you an idea of the vision that I had/have for this house.  

I actually used vistaprint to design my own postcard.

If you switched sides in your scenario and were the person lending the money, would you feel comfortable with all factors being considered?

Loan to experienced flippers first, watch the renovation process up close (it's a lot different than it looks on TV), then try one yourself once you feel comfortable dealing with contractors, vendors, designing, etc.

(This is above and beyond your normal ongoing education requirements.If you are managing properties you need to have a Managing Broker's license, or have approving managing broker.When you sign up with a managing broker, he or she may allow you to have a property management business, but you will probably owe them fees because they are responsible for your actions for the first 2 years.You don't have to work full time at this to be a property manager or Realtor(in Indiana we get this designation as a requirement and have to pay fees accordingly).

For information on how that applies to your case, seek out an attorney, but the beneficiary designations are related to this distinction.