New CA License holder for Self-Investing - Now what?

[Sarab Si]

Hi All: 

I have recently been granted my California Real Estate Salesperson License. I got it mostly for investing in rental property for myself, and wouldn't like to pay huge fees. For example, I am currently looking at online REEBroker for brokerage service that offers a fixed $500 fee per transaction. 

What other mandatory things do I need to have in order to submit bids for for-sale properties - e.g. I've heard I will need:

a. MLS membership for doing searches?, and

b. I will need access to some online system to send/receive offers and counteroffers electronically? 

Does anyone have low-cost recommendations for both a. and b.? 

Not sure if the MLS systems are organized regionally or are state-wide database? I am based in northern California (Fremont), and would ideally like to find MLS search service that is not restricted to a certain region/a few counties since I plan to invest in central valley/Sacramento/Fresno/Turlock/Tracy area in California. Not entirely sure if MLS service is even required in this day-and-age since we can search properties on zillow/redfin already.

Appreciate helpful advice to get me started in my journey. 

Thank you!