Just don't overload yourself and think long term... build relationships to start your business for when you get out of College. 

And likely his contacts are flaky too or if they are good, do not put much value in a relationship with a flaky realtor.If a flaky realtor says someone is good, would you expect the person to really be good?  

The key is to establish a relationship with a local lender - typically not the big national banks - that will work with you on deals.

That is not to say that other areas are not good locations, but I'd prefer to play in areas where government, by and large, let's me provide a good quality product to tenants that respect and respond to good landlord relationships (relationships can not be over-stated no matter the location) and stays out of the way.Secondly, I do NOT and doubt I ever will do any type of government real estate subsidy (Section 8 as example) as I do not want to invite any form of government to be my partner. 

Using that relationship to get the property under contract for well under market value, only to resell for a profit larger than your sellers commission is not allowed. 

Our last 5 properties, we didn't even have pictures, before we had a contract between $6,500-$7,500/monthly.Folks look at the website, trust the brand, and reserve - period.Don't get me wrong, it's WORK to advertise/market, chase contracts, and maintain these relationships, but the profits are ridiculous.

@Anthony CarrasquilloWhen I am searching out a HML I seek to work with local direct lenders who I can build a relationship with.

If you don't want to enter a long-term relationship with the partner, you can structure the operating agreement for a buyout after a certain period of time.  

Beyond that- realtors aren't commodities, good realtors make deals work that rookies can't get done- we know how to negotiate, develop relationships with sellers and come up with terms that favor our clients and create back door leverage. 

@Sara Aviv Berger - You should form relationships with brokers in the markets that you like.