Consider forming some type of corporation or a LLC to protect yourself personally.  

The vast majority are owned by large corporations and won't talk to you even if you do manage to find a name and phone number.

Form some type of corporation or an LLC that will protect you personally about deft problems or other business mistakes.  

Here are the duties that can be performed according to the FREC:Permissible Activities of an Unlicensed AssistantUnlicensed assistant is defined as support stafffor a real estate corporation or other licensed individuals.Answer the phone and forward callsFill out and submit listings and changes to any multiple listing serviceFollow-up on loan commitments after a contract has been negotiated and generally secure the status reports on the loan progressAssemble documents for closingSecure documents (public information) from courthouse, utility district, etc.Have keys made for company listings, order surveys, termite inspections, home inspections and home warranties with the.licensed employer's approvalWrite ads for approval of the licensee and the supervising broker, and place advertising (newspaper ads, update web sites, etc); prepare flyers and promotionalinformation for approval by licensee and the supervising brokerReceive, record and deposit earnest money, security deposits and advance rentsOnly type the contract forms for approval by licensee and supervising brokerMonitor licenses and personnel filesCompute commission checksPlace signs on propertyOrder items of repair as directed by licenseePrepare flyers and promotional information for approval by licensee and supervising brokerAct as a courier service to deliver documents, pick-up keysPlace routine telephone calls on late rent paymentsSchedule appointments for licensee to show a listed propertyBe at an open house for: o Security pulposeso Hand out materials (brochures)Answer questions conceming a listing from which the answer must be obtained from the licensed employer-approved printed information and is objective innature (not subjective comments)Gather information for a Comparative Market AnalysisGather information for an appraisalHand out objective, written infonnation on a listing or rental

Following is how the ROBS 401k works: Because you directly rollover your IRA or former employer 401k, 403b, Keogh, SEP, SIMPLE, or other eligible account, to your new ROBS 401k  plan, which then funds your business, you incur no taxes or early distribution penalties.Unlike traditional 401k plans that allow for a 401k participant loan, that is, borrow up to 50% of the account balance not to exceed $50,000, the ROBS 401k for business financing plan allows you to use all of your retirement funds to fund your start-up business.The ROBS 401k funded corporation allows you to draw a reasonable salary from the business.ERISA 408(e), and ERISA Reg. 2550.408 list information regarding the use of 401k funds to invest in employer stock of the employer’s corporation.The IRS formally commented on the use of 401k business funds on Oct 1, 2008 by issuing IRS memo commenting that the use of retirement funds is not disallowed but continue to be reviewed by the IRS.The use of retirement funds for business funding entails the 401k purchasing stock shares in a C-Corporation.

All but 6 (including the one I'm buying) are owned by two large corporations that rent them out.  

However, since I am new to this I'm looking for a hard money lender that's not associated with one of houstons large corporations.

Phil:Have a look at the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) offerings for immigrants (and residents).

Team members can help you get things done for you  and form submittal of new equity form some type of corporation or a LLC.  

@Jeremy Geyer I would strongly suggest you establishing a Corporate Entity such as a S Corp or a LLC.