Though if I'm being honest Pittsburgh doesn't have that many neighborhoods that I would consider dangerous, just those that a bit more run down and lower income.

I'd love to start some serious relationships with folks that I could connect with, help one another and learn from.I feel like I know just enough to be dangerous, but would love to have some people in my life that could help me refine my direction a bit, or bring clarity to areas where I'm just feeling a bit lost and overwhelmed.At 46 years old, I feel like I've lived and learned enough to have a lot of wisdom in some areas, but yet feel like an absolute newbie in this area.

I'm not sure $2,000/month on a $325K purchase actually gets you into positive cash flow territory, once you consider vacancy and R&M.

Let’s just say those two territories do not have the friendliest of neighbors

This agent said that he would not recommend multifamily investing in Nashville because he said that the areas where the multifamilies are in are all dangerous areas that he would not recommend going to, with very questionable tenants.I am NOT looking for the equivalent of a C or D class property. 

Although some molds are benign, some kinds of mold like Black Mold can be dangerous especially for young children.

If you don't know how to swim, its better to have one before you jump into the pool but once you learn how to swim; the life jacket can be discarded since you are aware of the dangers of swimming at that point and how to mitigate those hazards. 

But that's one of the things I really want to get at with this thread - am I shooting myself in the foot because Realtors resent the use of a budget brokerage because they are protecting their territory - or would they be fine with earning their 3 or maybe 4% and letting the profession take care of itself.

I see OREO brokers selling 10k homes and charging flat rate 2500 ... so on and so forth.. so you could go that route as well. explaining to your sellers that these are tough to sell you specialize in this and you will get the job done.. you will also get listings by playing off of or explaining to these folks the dangers of tying up one's property with someone that can't close...

Only way it is at that price is if it is in a dangerous/run-down area or if the property is in need of a six figure rehab.