My current insurance agent only deal with residential insurance companies.

@Jason Weidmann what do you think of every agent responding telling you to go, go, go!

I do have a third goal, but too much will happen by the time my second goal materializes that my third goal will likely change drastically.Also, I tend to find myself wanting to ask market-specific questions to agents/lenders/investors/contractors/etc. a lot.

You will need to vet out a few agents or you can work with reputable wholesalers.

You may want to start with the BP agent finder for those markets and then work with them to find good PMs and lenders.

For on the ground evaluations, I rely on local contacts: agents, contractors, or even property inspectors to provide walkthrough videos and detailed feedback.

i work with agents, PMs, deal finders, lender, etc. all the time.  

This is not unusual in the retail real estate agent world. 

He seemed like a big-time agent who works with a lot of long-term investors.

No agents involved.