I believe I am reading that's okay for a co-wholesaler (who has the buyer) to earn $5,000 in an assignment transaction (from the buyer).  

I partnered with a co worker and figured it was better to try and fail vs not try at all. 

My wife and I live in a co-op we've owned for 10 years now in Brooklyn, NY.We recently discovered that our maintenance bill is almost the same as bigger apartments in our building.We live in a large studio and pay about $1130 a month.

I don't live in NC, so totally relying on a property manager who is also my RE agent with the entire process (he was referred to me by a co-worker). 

Hello BP family, I reached out to a local realtor, a friend of a co-worker, to see if he could help me find some properties to flip.

But, in most US transactions, the buyer's agent actually receives their compensation from the seller (actually, from the seller's agent, who shares their commission on the sale as part of a co-op agreement.) 

I wanted to make this investment without a co-sign, but if that's what it takes then I might have to alter my strategy.Thanks!

You best chance will be with a co-signer and at least 15% down with a local bank who might put it in their portfolio.

Yes getting a co signer won't be a problem.

If a co-worker becomes a trusted friend and you are having lunch together, something like that can be OK to discuss personal things.