You can add stipulations to any agreement to make it accommodate your needs and because any commission paid on a listed property is paid by the seller, it is certainly worth enlisting an agent to help with acquisitions when you aren't getting enough opportunities with off-market homes.

. ($225K total) Passsive Investor A) contributes $100K Passive Investor B) contributes $100KActive Investor (me) contributes $25KNext, I take on the construction loan ($1.85M) to build retail space, enlist the leasing tenants, and conduct a long term re-fi to hold and manage the property.  

I tried to enlist then to get me more organized, but they wanted guidance on everything that they were supposed to do.

I would enlist the assistance of a broker to conduct a BPO for you, or even go a step further and order a full appraisal.

I'm going to have to agree with the majority---using the "right" realtor can shrink your sales cycle, particularly in difficult market trends...You don't necessarily need to enlist the services of a listing agent---why not market to buyer's agents that specialize in unique/expensive properties?

I enlisted the help of a good friend and realtor and she recommended I reach out to the tenants to see if they had any interest in purchasing before signing all the real estate paperwork and saving $ in commissions.

He did not advertise, he did not have a sales office, nor did he enlist the aid of brokers."

I could enlist him to rep me.I have a friend who never uses his own agent and always jumps on board with the listing agent when he buys properties, because then the listing agent is doubly interested in getting the deal done when he doesn't have to split commissions.

I worked as a painter for 2 years prior to enlisting and since I got out I have been working in a high end remodel company in town.

Bill Bob No, I don't agree and I'm sure I'm not the only one because then the military wouldn't have had to struggle to make enlistment quotas during the early war years.