I feel like brokers and agents should get to know a person and investor FIRST, see if they both are a fit long term, and then work on the PLAN with upfront groundwork before putting things into action.

Their sales pitch looks good, about them doing bulk of the ground work in the process of finding a property and buying.If not this, then any other suggestions for a reliable broker company, or any suggestions about investing in Detroit (neighborhood, strategy etc.). 

Columbus has the perfect mix of talented individuals, groundwork, and infrastructure that has been attracting big corporations from the west coast.

I would prefer portfolio lender to lay ground work for expansion of my own portfolio, but am more concerned with getting these two properties transitioned out of their current mortgage structure.

Eventually you will have buyers who you e built a relationship with, and trust to go on their own — until then it may be a wise move to partner with a young agent or somebody interested in real estate who is local, and give them some % of your deal to do the boots on the ground work!

@Alicia Marks, few tips to consider when remodeling an old house; lay the groundwork.

This can bridge the cap as a conversation starter as well as lay the groundwork.

Unless you’re planning to quit your job, work significantly at REI on the margins, or partner with someone who can do the groundwork, you’re probably not going to be wholesaling or driving for dollars or flipping or any number of great strategies to add value and generate revenue.

Have to put in the ground work yourself.

The common thread in both, it seems, is that folks should do some homework/ground work, be conservative with their numbers, work well with others, and above all just get started while continually learning and perfecting the processes as one progresses.You're a good reminder of what Les Brown says, "you don't have to be great to get started, but you do have to get started to be great."