There is currently very little overlap between the lenders getting my purchase business and those getting my refinance business, for the above reason.Overall, having made the switch from banker to broker about a year ago, I'd say operations is on average a bit smoother, faster, and with less over-conditioning, since I can say stuff like "Hey Underwriter, I can send this loan somewhere else and they will not have that condition.

Also, the agent should have referrals and recommendations on how to sell the property better, faster and for more money. 

You need to know the rhythm of your unit and your career path before investing-- if you're going to spend a lot of time away on exercises, in a job where you're expected to put in serious hours, aboard a ship, on hardship duty assignments, or otherwise deployed-- you need to have effective support systems in place faster than other RE investors do.

Also, to improve my credit, are certain factors weighted more than others ( such as paying off existing loans vs paying down loans but still keeping them, previous delinquent payments, etc ) ?

That money could go a long way toward paying down your loan faster, as an extra several hundred dollars toward the principal each month can shave off years of payments.

It doesnt help I'm playing in the back yard of Biggerpockets...It seems like I'm trying to punch above my weight class to find an investment property.Two questions:Should I have put in an offer?

So I hear alot of wholesalers on podcasts say that you have to convince the seller that you can sell faster than an agent and pay cash etc.

I love going back and reading your comments (TIP: put more weight on advice you get from people who are in your market than advice you get from those who aren't) The plan when my husband and I purchased was to hold with cash, but we got over that pretty quickly :)  We were all in on this property for around $104K, with purchase and rehab, initially rented it for $1150/mo, and refi'd out within a year, pulling out around $97K (it appraised for $132K back then).  

Lots of great reasons why their cost of funds will be the lowest.When working with private money, you might find things go faster or the investor understands better what you want to do.

There are things that you could do as a lawyer to get to the judgment faster for you but it will cost money.