I was grateful for a smart team and good mentorship.

If you're smart, you'd take the same approach. 

I responded to a thread here on Bigger Pockets about technology and it gave me an idea to contract myself out to realtors and investors to help them implement technology and social media.

Code pt. 1450, govern the business of real estate brokerage in Illinois.The Act, as amended, defines a real estate “broker” as an individual, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, or registered limited liability partnership other than a real estate salesperson or leasing agent who, whether in person or through any media or technology, for another and for compensation, or with intention or expectation of receiving compensation, either directly or indirectly:(1) Sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases real estate.(2) Offers to sell, exchange, purchase, rent, or lease real estate.(3) Negotiates, offers, attempts, or agrees to negotiate the sale, exchange, purchase, rental, or leasing of real estate.(4) Lists, offers, attempts, or agrees to list real estate for sale, lease, or exchange.(5) Buys, sells, offers to buy or sell, or otherwise deals in options on real estate or improvements thereon.(6) Supervises the collection, offer, attempt, or agreement to collect rent for the use of real estate.(7) Advertises or represents himself or herself as being engaged in the business of buying, selling, exchanging, renting, or leasing real estate.(8) Assists or directs in procuring or referring of leads or prospects, intended to result in the sale, exchange, lease, or rental of real estate.(9) Assists or directs in the negotiation of any transaction intended to result in the sale, exchange, lease, or rental of real estate.(10) Opens real estate to the public for marketing purposes.(11) Sells, leases, or offers for sale or lease real estate at auction.

That's a VERY smart first step. :)Liz

That's a VERY smart first step. :)Liz

If they're smart, instead of telling you "it's not legal and no respectable agent/broker will allow" , they'll try to share another way to invest, do try to hear them out.

Even though it's "low money down" you obviously still have to do it smart and have money saved up etc.

Surely it's not 15% upcharge, way more than that, if they're smart, they have to cover in case you sue them in small claims court because they broke your $2,000 vase, you have all their info now. 3.

i'm telling you all this so that you can see that i am a genuine and relatable person. life's too short to pretend i'm a stuffy business person- i'm not. i also want to show you that i am motivated, smart, and resourceful. i have goals, but i need some help. i don't have time to waste, and i read once that Andrew Carnegie said that making good deals involves being up front and honest about what you want, so this is what i want:i want a mentor to help me to get some real experience in the field, and i want to find a reliable and fair network team. i also want someone to believe in me enough to invest in me so i can get started. what i'm willing to give:i am willing to negotiate a fair return on investments. i will share and support my network team just as much as they support me. and for a mentor, i will negotiate a fair trade(perhaps a percentage of my real estate profit for the first year) for the education. and... i will totally take some people on business dinners(and write them off on my taxes), you know, as a bonus. :)so, are any of you willing to invest in me?