Earning my license solely for MLS + lockbox access?

[Richie Thomas]

I'm an aspiring real estate investor and I just applied to take my real estate license exam. However, I'm not interested in becoming a salesperson, but rather in obtaining MLS and lockbox access. My thinking is that these two things will allow me to source and inspect properties at my own pace, since the activity I most want to focus on is filling my deal flow pipeline. I'm happy to give up the 3% that I would have saved being my own agent, and give that to an experienced realtor (especially one who often works with investors), so I can focus on the above.

However, I'm aware that this strategy will necessitate hanging my license with a real estate broker, and I assume that this broker will expect their licensees to meet sales targets. In lieu of personally closing sales, I'm happy to funnel all my buying / selling representation needs to the brokerage I hang my license with. If I do my job right, my pipeline will be full, and my broker would benefit from the resulting repeat business.  My goal is to make this a win-win for the broker, any buyers + sellers, and of course for myself.  My question is- does this arrangement raise any ethical or legal red flags that I don't foresee due to my inexperience?

I'm well aware that most folks on these boards aren't lawyers and I won't hold anyone to their opinion. I'm just looking for a 2nd opinion from someone who knows the lay of the land better than I do. I don't see any issues with this arrangement- since I'm not representing anyone, there's no agency created, therefore there's no risk of violating a fiduciary responsibility. Nor do I think I'm inducing the broker representing me to violate their fiduciary duties, as far as I can tell.

I would of course be careful not to give any potential buyers or sellers advice, so as not to create implied agency.  And it goes without saying that I'd abide by the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Realtors.  But other than this, I can't think of any danger zones. Am I missing anything?

[Russell Brazil]

Being an agent is costly. It costs thousands of dollars per year. Just be aware of that in your decision making process.