He's floundered around as an agent at several brokerages in Cleveland over the last few years, ours included for a few months back in 2015 or 2016.

I have been working with a wholesale brokerage here in Houston and I am an independent contractor for them and I Dispo all of their deals.

Full transparency I am a seasoned property manager and will be opening my own brokerage soon - working as Director of Operations of another brokerage right now.

With financial advisors or planners, they have to be certified to help people invest and make investment decisions as far IRAs, Roth IRAs, brokerage accounts.

Buyers must now enter into a contract with an agent before that agent can show them any propertiesInstead what this should read is: "Prior to showing properties, Buyers must sign either a Brokerage Disclosure to Buyer (BD-24) OR an exclusive right-to-buy listing contract."

Please see more below:Solo 401k vs Self-directed IRA:A Solo 401k has several advantages as compared to a Self-Directed IRA including the following which specifically apply to your situation:Unlike a Self-directed IRA, you can have the account for the Solo 401k at a bank or brokerage that does not charge maintenance fees and where you will have checkbook control.Unlike a Self-directed IRA, if you use leverage (which must be non-recourse financing in either case) to acquire real estate with your Solo 401k the income will not be subject to Unrelated Debt Finance Income taxGeneral Considerations Re Investing Retirement Funds in Real Estate:1.

There is a LOT of PM's out there and without doubt nobody is the perfect fit for anyone and everyone, my brokerage included in that.

I am some experience in real estate and am currently working for a brokerage. 

Also, using brokerage account such as Fidelity or Schwab may only work in some instances and will be challenging in other.

You need to find a brokerage that specializes in LTR's and can also handle the property management.