Depending on the goals it may influence your approach.

You might want to target specific types of brokerages that focus on the niche you like.A lot of brokerages are just mills knowing new agents do 1 to 3 deals the first year and then quit the business as their initial sphere of influence runs out.

Your investment goals need to be influenced by the market, what's hot and what's not.Begin by learning real estate conventionally before trying to deal in real estate. :) 

Money has no feelings.Most buy and hold investors struggle with making the right decisions because they fail to understand decisions should never be influenced by emotions.

Money is nothing more than the power to influence people through their desires.

I had a very recent lose of life in my family someone who has had a major influence throughout my entire life.

The thing on your credit that you can most easily influence is your credit utilization.  

Which would explain my quickly diminishing influence.

That person does not have to be paid commission, but I believe that $80.00 to $100.00 would be well worth it if this person can influence the BPO in your favor.3) You will also need an agent to bring you deal.

. - it's been great, its influence and development to my strategy has been indispensable.