I'd suggest finding an investment brokerage that sources deals and double closes as well.

All that being said my brokerage sold several in that zip code just this month so it is a potentially profitable area.

I have a list of PMs that our brokerage works with that I can send you. 

There are definitely pros and cons to each so I figured I would just lay out a few benefits and personal thoughts: Small banks/brokerages:Pros:- Some regional knowledge of the market- Possibility of more creative lending guidelines with bank specific programs- Sometimes they have competitive rates for their areaCons: - weak balance sheet (more strict on some guidelines, no wiggle room, inability to be flexible or grant exceptions because they cannot afford to hold less than perfect loans)- Can't scale with clients to different markets- Usually limits exposure to individual investors (they don't want one investor to be too big of a portion of their balance sheet)- Lack of experience with multiple solutions (tend to have 2 or 3 loan products they sell and are too niche to provide tailored solutions)Large banks/brokerages:Pros:- Large compliance departments that understand individual market guidelines (typically each state has specific lending guidelines that augment the national baseline)- Ability to scale into multiple markets with same lender (licensed in many states)- Impossible for individual investors to "outgrow" a large bank's balance sheet (not concerned with one investor's concentration)- More lending solutions available for different scenarios- Often comparable or better rates given the game is volume basedCons:- Can be more difficult to get fast responses if the bank/brokerage does not have good follow up systems in place (or if the underwriting/processing staff gets overwhelmed)- Bad large banks can feel less like a relationship and more like a cog in a factory (less personal)Overall, I have worked from both and worked with both as a loan officer, branch manager, and as an investor/client myself. 

Attend networking events organized by local brokerages and real estate businesses, as well as real estate conferences and workshops.

I agree Don and in my earlier days in Northern CA brokerage activity it was common for listing agent to take less than selling agent.. when I moved North to OR WA it was the opposite listing agent would take a larger cut and they would justify it saying they did that because they had to pay for advertising and marketing etc..

In many states you have to be a licensed real estate broker/agent to be a property manager.

However it does allow the agent and brokerage to be protected incase of commission disputes, it sets apart specific addresses or territories in which this agent is working with you.  

I'm looking to start investing, and i like the brokerages that double close since they help you through the whole process.

Buyers agents can't show a home without already having a buyer broker agency and commission agreement in place.