If you can started without them then you'll probably be up to speed quicker (through a few more ouchies, but those usually go hand-in-hand).

Or find a bank that's faster

Many brokerage offices have programs such as this to bring their new agents up to speed and get them producing faster.You do not have to participate in such a program longer than needed, but I highly suggest that, in order to really learn the business well, do this for the first 6 months at minimum, then decide next steps.Good luck.

It was our first time working with Mark and his crew, and immediately I was blown away with the speed at which they worked and the communication coming from Mark as they hit certain status milestones.

A quick Google Search got me up to speed on this.

Not saying it's impossible, but the deals are VERY rare and you have to move with lightning speed when they show up. 

(Like Quants in the Stock Market and High Speed Trading, but I digress) 

Once plans were signed off, I had my contractor go full speed ahead and start demo and framing to get to point where the city need to do the inspection.  

If you’re not set on location, Jersey City might be more your speed.

There is also a great meetup hosted by @Melanie McDaniel that will get you plugged in and up to speed in no time!