Is this a smarter way to get into the business and grow from there?

I am busy in a full-time job in Boston and wanted to work with someone trustworthy to get started quickly rather than get stuck in analysis paralysis or be discouraged by Boston prices.

The growth now will be in the ancillary businesses moving to the metro to support Tesla and other tech-focused manufacturers.

It's also helpful to interview a few candidates to see who you feel most comfortable with in terms of understanding your goals and who can offer practical advice tailored to your investment strategy.Make sure to ask about their experience with real estate investors, their fee structure, and whether they have dealt with setting up similar business structures.

Its just a cost of doing business . 

Because my business operates largely off the MLS, we already do that.

Code § 10131A real estate broker within the meaning of this part is a person who, for a compensation or in expectation of a compensation, regardless of the form or time of payment, does or negotiates to do one or more of the following acts for another or others:… (b) Leases or rents or offers to lease or rent, or places for rent, or solicits listings of places for rent, or solicits for prospective tenants, or negotiates the sale, purchase, or exchanges of leases on real property, or on a business opportunity, or collects rents from real property, or improvements thereon, or from business opportunities.

For example, I am a little concerned about some aspects of the business cycle recovery and a potential for a double-dip so I lean toward the safest part of capital stack which is debt (or low-debt equity).

Many areas have worked hard to shut down the short term rental business.

Which will bring plenty of other investors and general business to the area.