Define your risk tolerance & budget - if you lost it all, would it break you financially.  3.

New Western has onboarding protocols, training programs, New Western University, and several other tools that you and I can discuss offline to provide a general knowledge base to all agents. 

The money you spend will be severely outweighed by money saved and headache avoided. 

I have not bought his class/group because there is so much to learn and do first from his free content, that keeps me very busy trying to get up to his basic level.Another good source is Robuilt but Sean Rakidzich is several steps ahead.

Consider your upside versus your downside risks. 

That at least reduces the risk of getting back a trashed house.

You saw the writing on the wall and took some risks.

There are certainly ways to do that, but they increase risk as well as potential reward. 

Often times the cost is minimal compared to the amount of money at risk with a mortgage. 

Also discuss with the agent, what risks you are taking by using a contractor with out Workers Compensation.