While REI is a lot of numbers it also includes real people who make really irrational/rational decisions.

This could potentially be a good profit maker.

Since I ultimately want to make real estate a large part of my portfolio, I want to at least consider the location when I accept another job.

You also get access to the Deal Maker Mastermind group and I am constantly connecting with other students.

This could be the difference maker on whether your property will ever cash flow, or if you will be dumping tens of thousands of dollars into a project that turns out to be a dud. 

Somewhere that you can build a relationship with a decision maker at the bank and you're not just another number to them.

You also need to account for what you want to make on the deal...After Repair Value * (1 - ROI) - your markup - repairsROI is what you want the investor to make (really, what they expect to make).  

Suggest you go to Bill Tan's LA and Asian REIA meeting and talk to deal makers in your area.

I would never accept much less make a purchase with any home inspection report from a seller, I personally know that realtors pick their best deal maker home inspectors, the wording in the home inspection report precludes the possibility of recourse nor would I be involved in a trust basis purchase, there are so many possibilities for a serious issue to come up and the buyer will get stuck with a bad investment, always have your own home inspector do a thorough report on any home you are seriously considering, buyer beware of everything especially seller home inspection reports, facts.  

Saying blatantly idiotic things like inflation will make real estate prices go DOWN!