As an agent, you have access to title records, comps (sales, rental), tax records, marketing programs, etc.Speaking of marketing, as an agent, you are offered discounts on specific marketing resources, web campaigns, etc.Commission, or the ability to reduce the purchase price equal to the comission......Just to name a few.......WAY worth the cost of entry IMHO.

Really have to sift through the junk.I get a lot less web leads, but they’re more qualified.

It's not about feelings such as pessimism or optimism, it's about market knowledge, math, and a strategy.I am selling a few market appreciation plays and reinvesting the funds in properties with a higher expected IRR going forward. 

Sure, buying a home (especially for the first time) is an emotional experience, but that can be accounted for in the ways that these web platforms are built.

This is the best site on the web for anything and everything related to REI.

Is there an audiobook or web page,blog or vlog with your story, or the JWB story?

The majority of us are 99% reliant on inbound web traffic and have forgotten about doing our own outreach to drive traffic.You can do some research on Facebook.

I need something that will import call and web leads and has a type of automated followup text and email system.   

Because I am still in the early phase, I am less concerned with optimization and more concerned with getting the cash flow snowball rolling.

You can handle control by using a trust (which they probably need anyways).Good luck - I applaud that you're thinking through all the details in an attempt to optimize this for the family!