Want RE licensee MLS access.

Most of them started as an investor, and just went to get their license simply for MLS access.  

I found biggerpockets after deciding I needed a life change; change being that I need to get away from the doldrum work of W2 50 hour a week work that constantly make me feel like my wheels are just spinning but making no progress. 

Use one of the standardize browsers {Mozillia Firefox, Opera, Chrome} and life will get much easier.btw: once you get access to a service (say SmartMove or your XYZ online Banking site),make your life easier by creating a Bookmark and when logging on, NEVER remember the password for security reasons.

I wouldn't worry about this too much, though, because 1) even if you pay retail and don't get a "great deal," it still beats the heck out of throwing away money on rent every month and 2) to be honest stuff on Redfin/MLS is probably the only multi-family you're going to have access to in this seller's market that is Los Angeles.Believe me, earlier this year I spent $2,000 on marketing to fourplex owners in Los Angeles, and not one callback was one of those sellers you dream about, e.g., the guy who just about lost his shirt and needs to liquidate his assets for $0.70 (or even $0.85 for crying out loud) on the dollar--and these kinds of people typically would need a cash, not an FHA, buyer anyway--or that older widow who's sick of dealing with tenants but still wants the monthly cash flow and would be open to seller financing.  

If you are to develop equity quickly I would advise to flip houses and new allotments in the 1031 exchange programs allow you to access bridge loans to source properties while you are bound with your initial investment as long as your equity from your first transaction is already allocated through your QI 1031 exchange.

One question wholesalers constantly ask is how do I protect myself in the deal?

I've noticed that in other threads the main benefit is access to the MLS.

If you want a database that is constantly updated, and that gives you a lot more data like length of ownership, debt, finance history, etc. there are better alternatives. ;-)

In other areas, even if they are not, title companies and the like have access to closed transactions.