As far as BIG players that are innovative and investor-friendly, I really like Keller-Williams.But I also work with an agent who is part of a SMALL brokerage based here in Dallas and they go out of their way to work with our team.

Go in side as many open houses as possible, look for dumpsters, research sales history, check out permit history for the renovations you find prior to them hitting the market, watch DOM, pay attention to the "players" in your market place, keep a very close eye on rents and retail prices, call all the FSBO signs you can, create your "drive for $" list, talk to locals, knock on some doors, drop off some door hangers. 

The relaxed SEC rules and the CF part of the JOBS act has much more impact on small players, IMO. 

Ed Reed, future Hall of Fame football player and former teammate, use to always tell me, "Time Waits for No Man", so everyday is a day to "Rise and Grind" and that is how we approach every part of our lives.

I have two other big players in mind for him.

Guys - We didn't make the Google Play store or their player.

Like Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan, even the best players need a coach or mentor.

I would first start by talking to locals, and finding a few players in your area.

I am surprised that as a great poker player @J Scott did point this out but investing is a game of probabilities in any market.

Minimum number of players is: seller, seller's agent, lender, buyer, buyer's lender, escrow agent and title company.