I recommend reaching out to the builders directly to negotiate any potential arrangements.

I have seen some properties on MLS that I contact my realtor and they may know right away the reason it isn't selling from showing it previously, or they can review the realtor comments that aren't viewable by the public on MLS.Other potential reasons I have seen properties listed on MLS for a long time. 1) Some investors may not be comfortable inheriting existing tenants.2) It may be it is a class C neighborhood. 3) Structural issues.

If the agent is doing the marketing, finding the potential buyers and possibly working with other agents to help you secure a deal then I would still charge 2.5% for my listing services and 2.5% to any buyer's agent. 

EDUCATE YOURSELF - yes, it will take time, but will lead to a selection that better meets your expectations & avoids potentially costly surprises!

Focus on one or two target markets, get familiar with the numbers, and use tools like BP calculators to analyze potential properties.Whether you start now or after graduation depends on your bandwidth, just have the right systems and support in place first.

I typically host single family homes, but have been asked to potentially host an apartment complex of 22 units.

We have our starter home currently rented out and can potentially move back. 

I've noticed some really extreme discrepancies between renting and potential mortgage payments which make me hesitant to buy a primary residence.My wife wants to move around 56 (not too far from the ocean), which I don't mind because it seems they have great school districts and we have young kids. 

See, now we removed arguably 90% of those overwhelming potentials. 

In theory, yes you could get under contracting adding "and or assigns" but really good odd's that's going to kill a significant # of potential deals.