I have brushed nickel now, but don't want to look dated in future..

Unless you're having them sprayed, get the paint additive that smoothes out brush strokes. 

BP might just put a static discussion on the top with links to all past llc discussions and blogs so newbies could simply mine the other few hundred/thousand past posts for info and make the best decision for their situation rather than bring it up anew over and over...It is right up there with how to introduce yourself...

My question is would it help if I had an investor friendly RE agent to help me out or will I have to find another way to brush up on my analysis skills.

Kurt Pourbaix ...in addition, Brush (close by) is feeling the squeeze as well.

I have a sprayer, but chose to brush it because it was so quick & easy.  

Higher end residential products will usually have a thicker viscosity and have been designed  to be brushed and rolled.  

I'm just over 40 and the thought of sinking $40k into a college degree which is a static level of knowledge seems foolish.

I am beating the brush looking for a deal.

Run that until you have enough data that is statically relevant.This strategy right out the gate gives you info on what avatar works the best as well as which hooks are those avatars responding too.