My plan is to utilize the 5% down payment available through conventional loans.I would essentially mega-commute for the first year or two, working about 10-day stretches and then having equal time off, using my PTO strategically to gain more time off.

You want an accountant who can help you strategize and who is responsive when you want to know the consequences of the financial decisions you are making throughout the year.Good luck.

I try to be strategic about my purchases there, first drilling down for cashflow and then taking a step back to see if I can put myself "in the path of potential future appreciation" as I like to say.It's worked phenomenally well for me and I'll continue investing in Detroit until the masses are beating the drum on the city.

Whether buy and hold or fix & flip you'll be competing against cash buyers.The strategic difference after a renovation is finding tenants then refinancing.  

One of the "Assignments" the two Mentors gave out was: Find houses in need of repair that also had driveways/walkways that needed to be shoveled (many false leads with the recent 102" of snow;-)We exchanged phone and email information so folks could call the Mentors with the data and we could reach out to find the owners after strategizing on contact approaches.

However, I still face the strategic dilemma of which buyer do I pass this info to, and how do I ensure that I get paid?

I'd like to start wholesaling to get acquainted with the market, but if I can find some really good strategic partners and properties with nice spread, I would be happy to rehab.

Any recommendations for smart and strategic real estate agents in Baltimore or Houston?  

I was looking up strategic foreclosures (long story that includes 1.

With the limited information we have, it sounds like you have a track record of business profitability, assets that can support further indebtedness, and an openness to structuring your profile in an appropriate strategic manner.