Building out a team, getting started...

[Doug S.]

Is it worthwhile to invest the 40 hours and get my real estate license so I can a) broker my own deals and b) work directly with the listing agent or seller when possible?

Without a license, how can I find multi-family properties and navigate around, or work directly with the listing agent (removing the "paywall" of buyer agents) on sites like Zillow or Redfin? Note: Is it direct MLS access or sites like LoopNet? Do I find the property on Zillow/Redfin and then reverse engineer the listing agent, or even the seller (ethically that doesn't seem right)?

Last question, I have a great relationship with my current lender agent and want to approach him outside of our formal relationship via the brokerage. I'd be happy to contract his hours and work direct. Bad idea?

[Daniel Parrish]

These are all great questions

Getting your real estate license will help you save some money procuring your investment properties so yes I think that’s a good idea to invest the 40 hours for your license 

In real estate the way to Find clientele or investment properties can be done in a multitude of different ways.

There are laws that prohibit you from going behind the sign and calling the listing agents sellers directly not to mention it’s unethical 

I think the best way to find Sellers who want to sell multi family, Duplex & investment properties Is simply by calling from the Whitepages on Properties with absentee owners or driving by.   but Never call behind the sign 

Another great way to find investment properties is with a relationship of a trusted real estate agent. There’s a lot of pitfalls in investing in real estate if you don’t know what you’re doing you can get financially upside down relatively quickly. 

My advice to you is to secure yourself with someone who works with  multi family properties to learn how they did it and who they use in your area before jumping in head first. 

Daniel