I definitely wouldn't try to cut the realtor out of their commission.

The referral is no violation unless they are receiving some kind of commission/payment.

I was leasing properties on commission as a PM company employee in Philadelphia 5 years ago and one tenant had a new crated puppy set up on a laptop webcam.

I had lengthy interviews with the investigator and you simply cant advertise property you don't own.. or do deals for the expectation of compensation in our state.. so you cant make these blanket statements.. at least to these beginners on BP.. who you know the definition of wholesaling 99% of the time is to simply make assignment fee's IE commissions..   

Never paid anything except an agent's commission for a lead, never paid for a background check, never paid to trace a skip.

I hired a full-time Project Manager, Office Manager, and a Sales Team of three (commission only).  

We currently own a few properties in the Chicagoland area and are considering getting our real estate licenses to help facilitate/understand better what truly goes in to it, (and save $$ on commissions!)

You can also use it for long DOM listings, however, the agent would have to agree to take a lease commission upfront for the lease and wait for their sale commission on the option.

If they just represent the seller they have no obligation to help you get a good deal or to make anything happen in your favor.Everyone wants to buy without a realtor but it doesn’t really make sense as you don’t pay the commission, the seller does.

Asking price for a 2BR was a bit too high based on comp rents to get to our investment parameters but since the owner had no plans to use the property, I offered his purchase price in 2017 + 6% (commissions to agents) + $1,000 (assumed deductible on insurance for new roof), effectively getting a turnkey property without paying for the updates.