So technically the Federal Reserve is independent from the government...  

I am also a Brisbane investor myself and a very small-time developer (small subdivisions and renovations for profit).I would love to provide you with information and advice that would be of value to you at any time I can help you with independent but expert market appraisals & rental appraisals of any property you have your eye on, as well as suburb statistics like capital growth history, rental growth history, vacancy rates median sale prices and median rents, for helping you choose which suburbs to look in. 

I guess if they just want to basically hand over the deal to you and get a "finders fee" then yes you should 1099 them as an independent contractor for their fee, however I believe you don't have to if the fee is under $600.

If its a small bank or independent organization you may be able to talk them into selling it to you without listing it.

Pay close attention to changes in your market and be prepared to make appropriate adjustments.Lesson #3: Know what you are trying to achieveI always knew that I was striving for financial independence which I define as the time when your passive income meets or exceeds your required expenses.

Our long term goals are to be financially independent by our late forties / early fifties.

Is there any kind of marketing I can do independently of my real estate agent?

@Jerry Poon  be sure to hire an independent property inspector to view the property and give you a report. 

I'm doing a self-appraisal based on comps, and will be having an independent inspector do a walk-through with me. 

From this thread and elsewhere online, it appears that @Taylor Grabus and his fiancee (now wife, I'm assuming) could independently apply for an FHA loan for independent houses in parallel (requiring them to live apart) or series (1 property 1 year, the other property the 2nd year, or something similar).