If I write tools off on my taxes does that change my status to a real estate professional?

As I can't just sit here and twiddle my thumbs I started looking through Facebook and Craigslist for leads but it seems to me that a lot of those houses are already under contract or are being sold at a price where wholesaling would be impossible cause I wouldn't be able to sell with assignment fee.

They have a facebook page, podcasts and meetups. 

Their name is:  'Unstopable handyman'  Give them a look on Facebook.  

For USAR/National Guard members to be eligible, they must have: 1) Served at least 90 days on active (Title 10) status or, 2) discharged from active duty with a disability or, 3) Served 6 years in Reserve/Guard status and be discharged honorably/placed on a retirement list.I'm almost certain Basic Training & AIT will not count for the first criteria as you'll probably go under temporary duty orders from your state.HOWEVER, I do concur that the VA Home Loan is an awesome benefit if you one day become eligible for it.

I would see if any Meetup groups or facebooks group in Lynchburg.

You need to find several of each of these types of buyers and learn what they are looking for.Best way to find cash buyers is networking at local REI meetups, masterminds, Facebook groups, Realtors, title companies, closing attorneys, property management companies, auctions, Craigslist, and bandit signs.You can search real estate transactions in your tax database.

I generated a few leads using Facebook ads but they turned out to lead nowhere.

This is broad question but here's a couple pieces of advice:1) Put it out there what you're looking for (i.e. facebook/insta/Snapchat/craigslist posts), car magnets, business cards, etc.);2) Secure funding ahead of time (or at least know your funding strategies);3) Have a good home inspector on your team (he/she may be the difference between negative cashflow and positive cashflow);4) set up automatic cragislist email notifications on potential deals (set up key words);5) buy properties in areas that you wouldn't mind your own family living in; 6) Remove emotion when sifting through deals;7) Don't give up

Your Residency status will also have an impact.