My agency contract states that:Property Investment: Associate may acquire, for personal investment or residence, property listed with Firm's office or through the MLS, provided that Firm and any other Associate's portion of the commission provided in the listing is paid at closing.

70/30 splits with 70% coming to me until Firm get's paid 17.5K at that point I'd get 100% commissions.No monthly desk fee's, technology fee's, office fee's etc. 

As such I created The Ultimate Guide to Grading Cleveland Neighborhoods so out of state investors can get a firm grasp on the Cleveland market.Knowing the pros and cons of each type of neighborhood is very important.

I recently changed Firms and in my previous role had been maxing out my 401(k) every year as is the "standard" course of action (my last company also provided a 401(k) match so this made more financial sense).

It is always best to take a firm position and say no otherwise you are heading down a rabbit hole.

Talk to a Civil Engineering firm with experience in "land development". 

@Monét Marshall, as Luka said, my law firm focuses almost exclusively on real estate law and closings in the Nashville/middle Tennessee area.

Please note I'm an elder law attorney in Pennsylvania, (feel free to google my firm to confirm - and each state's interpretations of the federal rules are different.

You can always transfer to other firms once you stand up on your feet.

I'd be looking to invest about an hour south/west of DC If you invest out of state you'd be a total madman to do it any other way than with a turnkey company &/or a Property Management firm that also sells rentals.