I know a good baseline in determining your MAO is by using the formula MAO = (ARV x Investor Discount) - Repairs -Closing Cost - Assignment Fee.

Also, if I have enough room in my deal to pay a real estate agent to help me close, I will pay them a set fee to help me close on the property.  

If you are buying to hold rentals, make sure you understand how to run the numbers and what the hidden costs are. 

Most importantly I know the hidden costs most new investors don't consider.  

1.Ask for a copy of their standard seller side and buyer side closing documents2.Ask if they close any non-traditional type transactions you intend to use.3.Ask for a copy of their standard fees, and if title policy rates are not set by a governing body4.Ask about insurance premium rates.5.I would ask them if they are investor friendly.6.If they double close and if what do they, ask what do they charge for the 2nd close?

I even thought I ask the agent for the fee and I suppose we had a miscommunication somehow about the fee. 

Also, by using the remaining time on your lease you have time to explore different neighborhoods and find hidden gems. 

In my experience, most of the time when people ask me if I am the owner/landlord/property manager, they usually have pretty bad financial situation, and often time they were already rejected by the large complexes, so now they are taking their chances with the" operator owners" , and they are hoping/praying that they will not get another rejection for their application fees. 

-I could simply charge a flat fee for each of the services I provide (10% management fee, couple hundred bucks for the finding of the place and a couple hundred more for closing the deal, etc)Has anyone out there been in this kind of spot?

Joel thanks for the reply, I know a little about the Augusta reia etc, been wanting to go but had no time but hope too soon, is there a membership fee or as a "first time" guest fee etc??