Agent Fee Question & Concern When Closing

[Alfredo Alfaro]

Hello Everyone, I am new to Real Estate Investing and I am looking into getting into Buy & Hold (Rental) Properties. I have come across some properties for sale and have crunched some numbers and am asking for additional information to make sure the numbers work before putting in an offer. 

My question is that I have heard on some BiggerPocket Podcasts that some Investors have their Real Estate License and have charged their fee for finding a buyer (themselves) and received this at closing or had the funds go towards closing costs or down. 

Can this be done if you don't have a license or would it depend whether or not it was a For Sale by Owner vs MLS, Zillow, etc.?

Just wondering because I have heard somewhere, I believe on a YouTube Investing Video not sure though, that they did not have a license but they still added a buyers fee in place of the agents finding a buyer fee. What are everyone’s thoughts and would you do this or when would you or would you likely not do this?