I haven't got a property picked out yet I'm still scouting neighborhoods looking for potential properties and practicing running the numbers on them, but I would like you guys input on that so when I do decide to buy my first rental I'll have an idea of which option to use as far as HEL or HELOC...

my situation is like this: 1. i've been working informally with an agent whom i like very much. she's mentioned a couple of pocket listings to me and shown me a few houses (~4). however, we've never signed any paperwork. 2. she mentioned a house in my target neighborhood that's FSBO. i told her i was interested in learning more but didn't hear back from her the next day. so i took the initiative and looked at the house, called the owner and set up a time to meet with him. 3. the property is by far the best potential deal i've seen so far, and as soon as i started talking to the owner, all my instinct told me 'i just need to do business one to one with this guy. having a realtor is just going to get in the way here.' 4. however, i don't want to jeopardize my relationship with this agent in the future. she seems like the right 'scout' (and agent for future properties that come through the MLS) on my team. my instinct is to just be upfront and tell her i what happened, and that i want to pursue this one on my own and it if goes through, give her a finder's fee of $1,000. thoughts?

thanks guys for the info. there are lots of deals in northern new jersey. i been out there scouting for a couple of years now and i'm making headway. the numbers dont lie talking buying under 65 arv, talking a positive inflow of renters. talking quick access to NYC.

I will be out in Seattle October 16th and am looking to scout at the area and meet other professionals in person.

I"ve been scouting that area!

They could scout your local meet-ups and you could cut them 10-20% of your assignment/finders-fee. 

Out of town owners with a local property management company that couldn't manage a tent at a Boy Scout camp.

Scout out a few in that range.

I want to come over to Nashvegas for a day or two and do some scouting. 

I'm a book freak, more than 30 real estate books read, i'm from the Robert Kiyosaki Generation... including Dave Ramsey, Actually i get debt free following his snowball and baby steps system.Last 55 BP podcasts and a couple BP webinars, A lot of seminars in the area... most of them ends selling their mentoring system for thousands, sometimes sounds good but i do not want to be part of the scam group that buy the course and ends doing anything.Sales Associate, i just fail the first state exam, i re-schedule for next month, that's what i'm working really hard now.I definitely need to start networking with investors in my area, that is the main reason of this profile, scouting around here.This journey have already 2 years and no results.