They have several offices and offer 100% commission for agents.  

Am I able to make an offer on a home listed on the MLS with a listing agent, place it under contract, then essentially forward that contract over to another investor and take a wholesale commission? 

. - Reach out to the listing agent directly (if you are not using a an agent to source your properties), they have more incentives to close quickly and with you if they know they would be getting all of the commission.- If you are going to get a mortgage, make sure you have pre-approval letter ready to send out with your offers and commit to close quickly.- Going all cash and showing you have proof of funds to close quickly helps.i am sure there are others but these are the tips i can think of very quickly off the top of my head.

Taxes and real estate commissions take a bite.

I'd rather pay a commission for every booking instead of a flat fee for no guarantee. 

For a buy and hold investor, having a license won't provide the same value it would to a flipper since the flipper can save that 3% commission on the back end.Having a license doesn't change how you hold deposits, at least not in AZ.

Many Property Managers won't do this because it means they have to disclose a co-op commission to prospective tenant agents but its absolutely what they should be doing since its in their client's (your) best interest.

I am GUESSING your agent wants the deal to close to get a commission given how tough this market is. 

My belief is that anyone with a clean record and with a Fico over 700 will be responsible, will want to shield their reputation and won't want to screw you over for a simple one time commission).

Well, I can tell you that just on real estate commission, it will take you 6% of sales price; however, i hear that some real estate agents are willing to negotiate on this.