It's OK to share your expertise about real estate or your local market, but you should only advertise yourself or your company in the classifieds. 

Feel free to hit me up if you are willing to share any of your time. 

Who is your target audience... traveling nurses? 

Birmingham is a great market for real estate investment right now—it offers solid rent-to-price ratios, affordable home prices, and consistent rental demand.If you’re thinking about investing in Birmingham, I can provide some helpful data and share insights about neighborhoods that align with your goals.

How did it impact your deal flow, especially when time was a factor?

Did minor updates like paint before selling it to 1031 into my current househack / flip / buy and hold Commercial Property.

You'll be able to find your own properties in FL @Jessica Phillips What's your effective tax rate currently ?  

Just do it, tell them to send you some gift cards for the inconvenience lol otherwise they might have to call your note if its in their legal reach. 

To your second part of the question: Most multifamily will be tenant occupied, which means they are producing income.

Quote from @Mei Zhu: If you signed a contract, you are obligated to honor it even if you found the house on your own.Real estate agents do a lot more than find houses.