I would definitely use the position as a secondary source of income (aside from just working my own deals), and I'm sure having your finger on the pulse of values, buyer preferences, neighborhood nuances, etc. is also a huge help.Do you guys feel you get better access to better deals from being an agent?

You get the goodadvice - check out the forums, read to for information you never knew you need, ask for help you desireBackground/Research- check out the Blogs - tons of good information and with many storesTV programs - Podcasts- great source of storiesInformation on unique niches- Check out those who's philosophies you enjoy signatures.

They are not cheap, but are good sources of $$$ to get you started.

Lots of options, more than one source to me is always appealing.  

I read about hard money and private lenders but don't know if I should seek their services or deal with another source.

Welcome Alan, I know you will find BP to be a great source of support and information.

Start there and then work outward to other Trustee's this will give you a jump on any investors just relying on the pay services as you will be getting the information from the source not through a aggregator of information.

I wait until rent is a month past due then I will go over there and try and figure out if they lost their source of income and if they have, I will ask them to move out.

In the chance that he decides to sell, I figured this thread might become a great source for information.That being said, I totally disagree with @Shawn Holsapple and his suggestion to lie to your tenants. 

Your profession should be the source of all the private money you will need.