Alright...From what I get off the bat is that you'll save money on commissions as a buyer or a seller...You'd also get to scour the MLS listings yourself with all the tools available to RE agents...But yes you are right...getting the license won't make you a great investor...but it would definitely be another tool in your belt I believe!

As you get more properties under your belt it will be easier to understand the amount of cap ex needed from the acquisition and when the best time to replace the items will be

This is not a simple Never do it, but do take extreme caution as your funds may be at higher risks without proper protection/security.I started off using family/friends and once I got a few deals under my belt, as well as an online presence (website, Biggerpockets, etc.) and networking at live meet ups/REI events, others started investing with me until at one point, members from BP from all across the country (some of which had never met me in person) became private lenders of mine.

As an investor with 2-5 deals under their belt, I can understand your questions about why a company has a list of preferred lenders.  

Many tertiary markets in the rust belt have poor economic conditions and declining populations, making real estate investment in those areas a bad move (in my book). 

I also dabble in Boston where I am originally from and I prefer markets like Boston and DC to the Midwest and rust belt.

“Most of the multifamily supply expected to come online this year will be in fast-growing Sun Belt markets, including Nashville, Austin, and Dallas.”

I have a few years of RE investing under my belt but there is always more to learn.

My partner and I have just moved back from Australia, we only have one flip under our belt which was 2 yrs ago in Kansas.

I like the metro west area (in between 95 and 495 corridor) for best purchase/rent value as well as a smaller belt south of Quincy and stopping before Brockton for good value.