Otherwise it can get complicated as you really are putting buyers and sellers together, facilitating sales.You need to read your state statutes very carefully word for word as to what requires a real estate license and then don't do those things if you don't have a license.You can be an employee or memebr in a LLC that buys or sells, as a principal, in other words if BAC LLC buys a property and you are a memeber of BAC LLC, you can then be entitled to profits for the work you perform in that LLC.Another way is for you to take an option to buy and then sell your option, this is placing you in a position of havine an interest in the transaction, but those you sell to may have financing issues with this, it also depends on property restrictions or title limitations as beeing seen as sales during a restriction to conveyances, again check and see how these issues are viewed locally.Generally, you can not act as a third party between a buyer and seller and simply arrange or introduce deals and be paid a fee independly as that is a function of a real estate agent/broker.Lastly, it's easy to get a bad reputation amoung Realtors if you're known as a birddog, they will likely see you as unlicensened competiton and expect them to complain and report your activities.

Wholesaling mentor programs do get a bad reputation, but fortunately I only need to find a single good one.

Also if anyone knows of some in Houston Texas specifically that would be amazing.I'm so glad I found bigger pockets because you guys are some of the most encouraging , helpful and thoughtful people I've talk to in online community forums.

Can you recommend reputable companies for Landlord Insurance?

Although I am no longer a licensed agent in Texas, this is the time frame that it took me to go from un-licensed to licensed:Jan 3rd - Ordered course online from agentcampus.comJan 20th - Found broker to sponsor / hang licenseJan 30th - Submitted 150 completed course work to TRECMarch 1st - TREC responds needing finger printing & bg checkApril 15th - TREC BG check / Finger prints receivedApril 15th - Pay HAR/TAR/NAR/CSS/Broker duesApril 20th - License "active"May 1st - 1st contract writtenSo it takes roughly 5 months from start to finish.

4) Build your reputation as an expert by; networking, talking at real estate investing groups, posting here, writing a blog etc.

I've had no success emailing Craigslist FSBO & FRBO and some other online FSBO websites.I am thinking of posting newspaper ads, using realtors or doing business in other geographic areas.

Will reading real estate investing books help me better than taking an online class or getting a mentor?

BiggerPockets has grown to become one of the most respected online real estate destinations for quality news, discussion, networking, commentary, how-to's, and much more.

The cost of repair/restoration should be less than 5% of the purchase price.The offer was made online through the HUD system, and the contract will be presented to me tomorrow for signature.