Gifting equity in a house may be more trouble than it is worth if you are not near the life-time exclusion1) Potentially having to get the property appraised everytime an equity is gifted2) Having a title company update the title every time3) Exemption of the gift tax return is normally for cash gifts below the annual gift tax exclusion, you may still need to file if you gift non-cash4) If there is partial ownership over several years, having to properly pro-rate certain items such as real estate taxes, mortgage interest and rental income if the property is a rentalBest of luck 

Bonus points if you have worked with them and have personal experience.The property is in South Carolina, if that matters. 

I let the booking expire and figured it was a troll.I then get another request from the same person about a month later for the same dates.

I have done quite a few different things, one of the best to find out who is doing the most volume is go onto good and search for the "we buy houses companies" in the area you are looking to invest.

That said, here is how I would proceed...For some background, I used to run an STR management company in SATX and we peaked at about 35 properties under management. 

Depending on the type of commercial you want to get into my suggestion is to go work for a company that does commercial real estate as learning from people who do it and getting paid at the same time is not a bad strategy 

Very different from a typical insurance company. 

if anything then I would set a flat fee to pay them for their service and then if you do find a property that offers buyers agents money, in which almost all I have seen still do...then I would have the title company back out the amount you decided on and the agent gets the remainder of the amount of commission that's left over. 

i have seen many do very well getting on a team.Myself personally I would concentrate on listings 1000%  Buyers only if well knownand wont waste your time. 

I've heard good things, but not personally worked with them.