Here are some recommendations for you:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSet up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alerts Read Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing Check out BP Podcasts: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/category/podcast/ If you wish to tag someone in the conversation on the forum, type @ followed by their name and then select the name of that person which should appear below the comments box.

Be sure to check out “Learn” for all kinds of useful resources and free how to guides.

It's interesting nonetheless, and gets you thinking about ways to make properties more valuable.  

They can make what appears to be a lot of money but they provide a valuable service.Sometimes the only ways to know what they are marking up are by having a lot of experience paying people to do various jobs, or by buying a book like J Scott's book on estimating rehab costs.  

The QI you select can be a valuable source of counsel for planning and strategy.  

My only hesitation is that, here in Michigan, I have to work under a broker for three years before I can be a broker myself (losing valuable investing time).

Time is more valuable and effort is a commodity sacred to them, the least given the better to accomplish something.

I wrote down about 10 and used them as a guide.

The most valuable thing you have in Real Estate is time, you must learn how to make it work for you.

Be sure to check out “Learn” for all kinds of useful resources and free how to guides.