I'm stashing away about 85% of my income for a first investment.My long term goal is to achieve financial independence through buy and hold, using 1031 exchanges to trade up small multi family to larger apartment.

Michael is providing some great advice.If you want to spend your days in the bullpen, or driving couples and their kids around to countless viewings, then you need a "traditional Brokerage.If you want to pursue investing and have a license, you need an "investor friendly" Brokerage...We are a HUD Brokerage, all of us are investors,don't pay fees, and work from home.If you are an independent self starter that doesn't need the corporate entity to succeed, traditional "sell what's on OUR truck first" global brokerages.

But what I'd like is to get started in investing in real estate and acquire some financial independence.  

Since the addition wall is removed, so the electricity meter was removed also, and we are getting the electricity from an independent electrical source.

My hope is to develop financial independence through my writing and the cash flow/asset collection that comes from holding rental properties.

Perform you own independent research as to condition of title.Anecdotal evidence is often just a squatter with an overactive imagination.If you get involved, you are now stepping into a dispute between record legal owner and possessory.

Alternatively, you can pay down a mortgage by adding independent funds outside of the transaction. 

This Independent Contractor's agreement spells out allowed activities for the brokerage with you being a licensee there.The principal  broker can dictate what type of business you focus on and where.

Talk to a couple independent agents, there are not a ton of options in terms of carriers, but you want to work with an agent who has some experience with Real Estate Investors.  

Appraisers are supposed to be independent third parties regardless who pays them, but the reality is they know where their bread is buttered and there is a lot of art to the practice.