Personally, I tip them throughout the year for the amount of value they provide my business.For example, just today, one of my guests put the knives in the dishwasher and they rusted.

My wife and I have always been interested in real estate and while we educate ourselves about investing we thought it would be a good idea for one of us to get licensed. 

You must look at it as what your getting in return (Knowledge + Education) as opposed to "giving" something up (50% of the profit). 

We have been saving what we can and educating ourselves in order to make the best financial decision but we are torn because...

Hence the $1 tril in credit card debt and the $1 tril in student loan debt, and the fact that  a great majority of people in the U.S. could not pay for an unexpected $500 car repair today. 

Your friend should pay off the credit card debts today with his or her savings and then work on rebuilding their savings.

Today the portfolio is valued around $50M.

Or doing a multi-year lease option at today's price.Remember, you can't help every seller, you can only help the ones who are motivated to sell fast.

So glad you've already plugged into the Bigger Pockets podcast - that was a huge source of education for me when I first started.If you haven't already, I would recommend finding a real estate agent that you trust, and also start talking to lenders (banks, mortgage brokers, credit unions, etc.)

Use the site to educate yourself.