That will give you a chance to chat with other regular members to what their experience is.

There is also the benefit that I use the same tradesmen regularly and start to get preferential treatment.

Like @Dustin Faeth, I am a regular at COREE.

So you see how those commissions can add up quickly especially if you're doing deals with those kind of numbers on a regular basis.I will say however that if your time will be better spent on other activities related to your business and you won't miss that money then by all means forego the licensing process and find yourself an investor savvy real estate agent.

With that being said what are the websites (professional/personal) you visit on a regular basis?

Having someone in that niche on BP regularly to answer your question is going to be rare.

This is the only time I have ever found my self actually hoping to find giant hair balls in the pipes (because my wife and three daughters all have LONG thick hair and they get to deal with it on a regular basis since I have none). 

In one case a budy of mine picked up several houses at once and ended up making regular payments to the sellers estate...it was a terrific deal all around.You can probably find an agent or two that will at least complete the periodic search of the MLS for you and let you compare whats out there...of course by then there are agents involved (commissions to be paid), and every investor and regular buyer in town can see the offer....so like you already mentioned some of the opportunity has eroded.

Are you paying all cash with your bank account money, hml for flips, or some down for a regular buy and hold loan??

So if something goes horribly wrong (litigation) are both (or all) my regular IRA and my self- directed IRA liable?