I can usually tell you where I wouldn't invest personally due to the prevalence of drugs or violence.  

Not sure what you mean "higher return".If you are paying it off in 6 months then an interest only seems to allow for not as much of a commitment payback than P+I payment.

Forget writing a blog once-a-week, commit to meeting an investor once-a-week instead.

We've also committed to attend REI events on a monthly basis. 

I find this community to be an excellent tool to support committing to the flip! 

Granted, higher rate and some closing costs to take out new 30 yr mortgage but I don't like having a long term commitment tied to my HELOC.....I would not use a a HELOC for buy and hold for anything over 6 mos-1 yr MAX.  

A borrower who committed fraud on his financials and got caught and a borrower who had millions of dollars in liquid assets but wanted to roll the dice to see if he would be approved, even though I told him it was highly unlikely.  

I've been reading about direct mail and many people say that you should at least commit for 6 months time, so is it worth doing a direct mail campaign with the amount of time I have left in Wisconsin?

I should have required a larger deposit to ensure he was committed.  

Then if you insist on using  an agent to help find tenants you should find one who will not commit you to tenants without your approval.A word on leasing agents or realtors as sources of tenants.