PROs:Adds a level of professionalismAccess to MLSNetworking with other agentsAccess to resources of TREC, TAR, NAR, SABOR, & other groupsListing your owner propertiesAbility to earn commissions (or given them up in order to get a deal)Ongoing education that keeps you at the forefront of the market, legal issues, & trendsCONs:More liability (assume professional liability)Some people just don't like RE agentsRealtor - often considered the last bastion of hope for people who have failed to launch a  successful career in anything else.Dues, Fees, Insurance, Expenses in GeneralSubject to rules and laws that don't apply to non-realtorsHaving to work with TREC (they are just very slow and cumbersome to work with)For me, I find it worth it to be a professional in my field.  

I FOUND A DEAL IN NYC and if it wasn't for an unfortunate reality of life, I would have locked it down like it's nobody's business.

One municipality I invest in you need insurance that covers demolition in order to get an occupancy permit to rent the property.

I am currently in the insurance business been reading Brandons book and landed on the site for more info.

You will need to know any taxes and insurance cost along with any management fees, utilities or lawn care you have to pay while owning, along with taking repairs and vacancies into account.

The holding fees would be Taxes , water , lights , swear & insurance .

In fact, not only will they buy me the house (paying the mortgage) but they can pay for my retirement contribution, purchase me a new car, pay for my annual vacations, my medical insurance, my kids college tuition.

Obviously, they want proof of home owners insurance before we close.

I have my story, the struggle, and the journey from when I was a poor kid growing up, then when I began investing from the age of  22 or so to today at 31 years old where I have attained what in my perspective is success through real estate which impacts several categories of my life.  

Make sure you know the numbers (taxes, rents, insurance etc.), don't just rely on the selling agents numbers they have on the ad.