There was an article published in Sept 2024 that showed the average consumer would save over $10,000 by working with a broker vs a direct lender over the life of their loan. 

to your point, if you save up so that you're in a strong financial position, house hack a solid duplex in a decent neighborhood, make smart decisions, and hold it indefinitely, you'll be fine.conversely, if you have $0 and somehow start out with a risky flip, or borrow $20K and spend it all on a magic mentoring program, or buy a terrible property in a neighborhood you've never been to, you may not be fine.

Eliminate debt, establish a budget, and save.

As you already know, the quality of the investor agent will speed up your learning curve, and save you money, time, and headaches. 

It actually saves me $9 per month. 

Being a one stop shop for mortgage, real estate, and property management helps us save our clients $$$ and they only have one company to deal with and one contact saves time and creates an unmatched synergy.

Save your money.

After 35 years I’ve developed a healthy respect for this business from the school of hard knocks.The day I’ve discovered this business is easy or simple will be a good day to retire.

And personally I put way more weight on buying the right location as a buy and hold investor than saving some dollars on the front end. 

Granted this was on plots of land I didn't pay for, and that are already connected to the city's water and sewer, so there's a lot of savings there, but I'm hoping if it turns out to be this good of a deal I can still scoop up land and keep going