Are you interested in collecting payments online with the reporting included or just rent reporting without online payment processing? 

From my online research the prices are too high and pretty much a not so ethical way off doing business.

Fix everything you plan to, clean it, have it professionally photographed and listed with a realtor to make sure you get fully vetted tenants and the most options.If you were a renter in today's market and walked into a new listing with a nice front photo online and it was under renovation, would you pay market value?

Check out other online guides available here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides3.

Did you ask them if they have online access to the deed and probate records?

Hi all,I’m just getting my feet wet with Real Estate investing and currently taking online courses on the investment process, principles of calculating returns, performing market analysis, analyzing cash flows and the different types of investment opportunities.

I’ve never heard of such a thing and don’t see anything online about this. 

I read a bunch of the guidance online but I can't tell exactly how the property is classified once this has been done.

When I started, these forums, doing research online, and cold calling really helped me find some of the bigger investors in my market. 

With that said I do see plenty of referral fee agreements online but most are for % of listing agents commission rather than this colleague paying me 3% of the sale price.