I built an AI Agent that does this, searches google, contacts the vendors, gets availability, gets quotes, handle all back and forth communication, then gets back to me with suggestions, price, reviews and summary of the conversation.So yeah, I am super pumped by AI's application in the field 

I own a few and so do agents on our team.

It's highly debatable whether $50k can be considered "reasonable compensation" if you make $200k from commissions on the properties you sell yourself (as opposed to a split with your agents).

Did you use a real estate agent? 

Networking with local investors, agents, and property managers will be key to your success.

Define your budget, connect with specialized agents/lenders, and start analyzing deals.Good luck!

I really trusted my agent and knew several people who had invested in Reno so I took the leap after trying and failing for years to buy my own home in really high cost cities where I lived (NYC, DC, SF Bay area). 

I reach out just to help as I'm a local agent/investor here in the area; and my focus is primarily on investment properties with my clients.

For example if the house is worth 400K, but they are willing to sell it for 375k because they are avoiding having to pay 25k in agent fees, then the bank can consider the equity gap as a down payment.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?