What to do with my Driving for Dollars List

[Jonathan Vince]

I have a detailed spreadsheet of about 110 properties in the San Gabriel Valley (Southern California) that I've built up over the past couple of years- unkempt homes I've noticed while driving (mostly in Alhambra, Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, San Gabriel). I've done research on all of them, using a title company, the property tax portal, and other resources. And I've done some more in depth research on the more promising ones (owners, deaths, divorces, and other distressed situations). Several are tax defaulted. Many have foreclosures in their history. Many were last sold in the 70s or 80s, indicating older owners who may not be able to keep up the property. A good number are absentee owners. 

I know the more conventional approach is to send out mass mailers and then only spend time researching the ones who get back to you. But, I don't plan to do this. I'm willing to knock on doors and try to establish a good rapport, leave a good impression, etc, and do what I can to get the property under contract. 

I don't have experience wholesaling, nor do I have the cash or HML/PML line-up to purchase any of these homes myself. So, I am considering calling a cash buyer I met at a meetup, and seeing if we can arrange some kind of setup whereby he and I both benefit. Before I do that, however, I figured I ought to seek some BP counsel. Any suggestions on how we might want to approach this? I.e. should I offer to partner with him on reaching out to each owner in a way where he shows me the ropes and then I get a cut of his profit if he ends up buying and selling one (or more) of the properties? Or is it better to work out something where I get a bird dog (finder's) fee? Or???

Thanks in advance for your input!