I’m an agent and house hacker in the north shore.

I think you need to find a good local agent, network with investors(local meet ups, FB groups, etc) and learn more to dial in the gameplan. 

Is the agent really in the way of every deal?

Your deal finder (agent/wholesaler)3.

Your agent should be able to give you a clear answer on this.

.: Quote from @Caleb Brown: I am an agent so of course I get a benefit when a deal closes and I help a client but I have also seen the money and benefit real estate provides.

You can view homes with the help of a buyer's agent without any down payment required.

We all do the same thing, we just call ourselves different names and carry similar but different licenses:- CPA - Certified Public Accountant- EA - Enrolled Agent - Accountant - Tax advisor - Tax strategist- Tax consultant - Tax plannerIt all means basically the same.

The key is getting (I mean the most important part) a good agent or boots on the ground. 

The agent turned down a seller financing option - although it was not ran by the seller - because the agent said the seller is so done with the property that she wants nothing to do with it at all.