Make sure you interview them and get a feel for them.

I dont think you need a degree personally actually from whats offered from BP alone podcast webinars books is sufficiant enough to get you started investing and the nuggets that the ppl they interview drop n books they read n write, could literally save you thousands just by doing this.

We just don't have time to get the realtor license, which only requires a high school diplomat btw.After interviewing with several brokers, I picked one broker who only retains 1% up to $6,000 and refund the remaining commission to me as rebate.  

Interview them, not the other way around.

While I have you, could you give me some criteria to use when interviewing a new REO or hud buyers agent?

Interview new prospective tenants to ensure they align better to your needs and expectations.  

You can interview the hard money lenders too.  

Search BP for potential contacts and then interview them, check their references, and check their work.  

Get references and interview several.  

I was listening to a GRE podcast interview with someone from Reef Oil and Gas Companies (out of Richardson, TX).