It also helps me identify what I can outsource should I choose to.

I have identified a 6 unit apartment building where I would like to house hack.

The lender will then issue a pre-approval letter which your Realtor can use as a reference point to identify properties that fit your criteria.Once you close on the property, your Realtor should also be able to help you marketing your rental apartment, screening tenants, and coordinating the lease signing.I'd recommend vetting the folks you work with to make sure they have experience doing what you're looking to accomplish. 

He identified HSBC as one bank that I could investigate. 

If so, and you did not identify yourself as being licensed, you may have given the listing agent procuring cause for the commission on the buy side.You don't save anything by being a new buyer and not using a buyer's agent, you lose everything and give the commission to the listing agent which makes it even more likely they will do everything to close.

That goes with sourcing the right property and identifying value, as well as a financing strategy that maximizes your dollar. 

The times that I have gotten SWEEP fines, they pulled identifiable evidance from the trash and sent that pic in with the fine, I passed it along.

I would recommend to hone in on a market and identify your core 4 there - agent, property manager, contractor, lender.

@Ward Sorrick I would consider selling your property you mention, ensure that you keep your funds in a QI (qualified intermediary) and then you have 45 days to identify 3 properties.

I've attached the education side of it, identified a target market and started to analyze deals.