If you're thinking about considering brokering real estate transactions as a career, it needs to be treated as a career not a side business.There are a ton of niches in real estate and while they may not be common there are real estate brokerages who employ agents full-time with and without commission.The majority of agents though are independent contractors acting as 100% commission sales associates.

The homeowner replies and you go and view the property... you like the property and want to buy.... is it common to get real estate agents involved at this point?

Things will almost always be faster direct to seller (less middlemen) but common decorum is communicate through the agent.

Is pet rent common in your area? 

Are bidding fees common with for new builds?

@Eric JonesMy parents have a condo at Irvin Commons which has been a nice investment.

Someone told me I'd become a tenants in common with the HELOC while the other 3 would remain as joint tenants. 

Lenders commonly just want to dispose of the asset and not deal with the liens. 

Sounds like you would have lost money on this deal had you gone for it.This situation is common.

This is a common area for first time buyers to ask about and I am going to recommend against this....but in a good way.When we buy an investment property from a wholesaler....that property might be anywhere.