Are they simply using you to bird-dog properties for them? 

The smaller beach units will likely house snow birds and those who can work remote in the off season, but that bigger property is going to do better gross. 

Quote from @Bryant Brislin: @Langston Grant it's way easier for someone to just broker the deal (i.e. a commercial broker bringing a buyer, and asking seller to pay the fee, or for buyer to pay the fee), so see if one of the CCIM's can pay you some type of referral fee/consulting fee. is this similar to bird dogging and what is the difference between this and wholesaling?

HOWEVER, when I have had a pushy Owner that insists on wanting to view the occupied unit, I will allow them to accompany me as an "inspector" for the insurance company, or for an appraisal, etc.

Simple, connect with someone doing deals, become their bird dog and do anything else they ask.

I will help you anyway possible as your bird-dog, I am in the city often as I run maintenance for my investor as well as bird dog for him also. 

Bird dogging won't get you any real skills.If you really want to learn skills, you need to start wholesaling.Wholesaling forces you to get good at getting ARV's (Bird dogging does not)Wholesaling will force you to learn how to Negotiate (Bird dogging does not)Wholesaling will force you to learn how to estimate cost of repairs (Bird dogging does not)Wholesaling forces you how to market for off market below market value motivated sellers (Bird dogging does not)Wholesaling trains you how to deal and talk and handle sellers (Bird dogging does not)Wholesaling forces you how to handle and sign contracts. 

I've read just about every post on bird dogging and the information seems to be mixed.

Some of their team can be smarmy or patronizing ( accompanied by extreme ignorance) but most are stellar and have good to great customer service skills.

He gave me a call, and told me he is looking for people to bird dog for him.