Reno, NV - Newbie looking for Mentor/Partner

Reno, NV - Newbie looking for Mentor/Partner

Eagerly watched the Edge on DVD and have taken the first steps (got RE agents, listingbook, etc as well as started buyer's list and found hard money lender) but are having trouble finding properties that meet lender criteria.
We would like to do buy-fix-sell as Mike was a general contractor and Jan was a residential designer and we feel comfortable with this approach. Unfortunately our credit is in the toilet and we are living paycheck to paycheck since those industries took a nosedive in our area.
Would love to secure credit partner for a percent of the profits and would also appreciate any good advice on other financing options or where to find properties that fit hard money lender criteria (basically must buy for 50-55% of after repair market value).

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