@Christopher Brown things to offer would be... leads, training, experience, admin(our admin can make offers, check emails, handles paperwork, handles CRM, shows up at inspections, schedules listing photos, drops and picks up sings, etc), support, help with showings, marketing help, a game plan for an agent to get deals, scripts, etc.

I may be a numbers game. 

Those who know how to play the game can drag things out for a year (no COVID issues). 

I already know real estate is what I want to do after I graduate, and if I start getting familiar with it right now I will be that far ahead of the game when I turn 18.Do you have any tips or ideas of what I can do to get more familiar with real estate?

A pivotal part of the whole plan though is cashing out at some point and I don't like starting out that game $20K in the hole. 

At the end of the day it's going to be a numbers game and I am sure you are going to get more no then yes.

Let this agent help you learn and at least get in the game.

This has worked out great since we can also apply our knowledge of the vacation rental industry and what works best once we are booking the home (themed bedrooms, game room, best bedding configuration and much more).

I switched many years back to a refundable security deposit.Insurance seemed like they had no skin in the game.

EM and due diligence sure thats part of the game  but actually closing we would not do that for what is basically market price.