Is Being An Agent A Requirement?

[India Lewis]

Hi! new here to bigger pockets. I have been soaking up some knowledge here as my interest is to become a real estate investor. My questions are:

1) Is being a real estate agent a requirement for real estate investing?

2) If not, can you still gain the knowledge of markets without it?

3) What are some ways to seek out lenders and their requirements for different products in your current area to jumpstart your business?

4) Is it true that banks are less likely to lend to businesses that are structured solely as "Real Estate Investing" being that it is considered a "high risk industry". Are there ways to market your business to avoid this?

I am currently planning to use my first home to BRRRR, but rehab takes time. I am playing with the idea of air bnb arbitrage in the meantime to recycle income for a second rental.