In short - if you aren't licensed to do the work -  your services aren't going to satisfy the permitting agency.  

Anything beyond that is going to take some blocking and tackling (reaching out directly to local companies like solar farms, construction, medical staffing agencies, etc.).

I do have floating rate agency debt, however, and rising rates coupled with lack of rent growth has been a drag on cash flow. 

Figure out a question set that helps dive into their expertise as investor-friendly agents, ask about their experience in the investment real estate space, and have them send you a few properties that could meet your goals to show that they can provide quality properties for your to analyze (hint: this is also good to see if they overpromised on their market [ex - Raleigh for cash flow]).Also with the new lawsuit, any agent that knows what they're doing will require you to sign an agency agreement prior to viewing a home.

Here is a video that runs down the basics - https://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/specialenforcement/01-Legal...There is also a prohibited building list - https://www.nyc.gov/site/specialenforcement/registration-law...Here are some more info overall - https://www.nyc.gov/site/specialenforcement/registration-law..All of this makes STRs in the city pretty tough but it certainly not impossible.

SUN Title Agency for Grand Rapids. 

“The fact that the SEC is taking the time to share information with the Department of Justice is a serious step,” said Carney, who previously served as an attorney with both agencies.

In recent years, mane good real estate agencies have appeared on the Dubai real estate market, for example: the real estate agency https://www.axcapital.ae/ Experts who can advise you in investment in real estate in Dubai.

I called some collection agencies and they basically admitted that for the amount of the judgement, they aren't willing to do much more than call and harass him for a while.   

@Kmsuea Abdei signing an Exclusive Buyer Agency Agreement is common, but it can limit you to working with just one agent.