I have been running number with the calculators available through the given tools on Bigger Pockets, but I have been made aware by a couple of people I know that it is best to get pre-approved first before I start to look at properties, would this be beneficial to both mine and the future agent I work with?

@Winston Covington that is a great story and example of the power of holding real estate even if the property is only cash flowing a little bit at the front end and over the years with increased in rents while appreciation any investor can look amazing!

Continued low mortgage rates are helping some with affordability, but with prices rising fast, purchasing power is weakening.

Hey @Justin Coulson, there is a program called Podio that is a great tool.

It's been a great tool for us, and I always recommend everyone educate themselves on the loan as an option! 

I won't become a full time wholesaler, but it was interesting to use it as a different tool to achieve a successful deal. 

They all got permits to get power and turn on utilities and so forth. 

BP has various tools to help you analyze your deals (rentals, flips, wholesale, etc). : https://www.biggerpockets.com/investment-calculators8.

How to know if a land site has utilities(water, power and sewer)?.

What @Dan Powers said is spot on.