As I expand my investing horizons I have considered obtaining an associate broker and home inspection licenses. 

It's the difference between bilateral and unilateral contracts.Now, if you were to spend just a few days (3, 4 maybe 5) learning real estate, you'll save a lot of time and blood dripping from my finger tips repeating these basic issues LOL :)Take an option, get out of the way between the buyer and seller and obtain a release fee to release your encumbrance!

As an example, when we financed our last residential property almost two years ago, the BoC reference rate for a 5-yr, fixed rate mortgage was 5.34%; the discounted 5-yr fixed rate available to us was 3.49% (bank prime was 3.0 or 3.1 at the time) and we were able to obtain a 5-yr variable rate mortgage at 2.6%.  

I am brand new to BP, but we have been investing in San Antonio (mainly just doing our own deals) for about 10 years, then a few years ago, we went out and obtained our licenses, as we had quite a few people who were looking for properties, etc. 

Use arm's length lease-option documents along with the counsel of qualified professionals.To charge above market rent is asking for trouble, with both the IRS and when the tenant applies for the mortgage with the mortgage company.What the CFPB thinks is another matter.What I recommend is a. charge market rentb. 12 month leasec. give a ROFR or right of first refusal (Purchaser desires to obtain a right of first refusal or first option to purchase certain real estate owned by seller and seller agrees to grant purchaser the exclusive and irrevocable right of first refusal and first option to purchase.)d. get tenant to bank to save for a down payment in a savings account (serves as verification of down payment saved)e. get tenant to enroll in credit improvement (I recommend www.upgradmycredit.com )f. use a collection company (I recommend www.notecollection.com ) to assist the tenant in VOR Verification of rents.

I'm attending classes to obtain my real estate license with the goal of being an investor focused agent. 

The alternative is to obtain a good education from conventional sources, like a $350 course at a real estate school, or buying a $35 real estate book that agents learn from or reading on sites that teach real estate before how to use techniques that are all based on basic functions.

If the occupant is not the owner you may not obtain possession until 90 days have passed from sale.  

I know in regards to taxes rentals have write offs where flips can obtain a lot of taxes.

If you can't open the credit, try to get a partner who believes in the deal and can obtain the credit.