I'm sure there are always needy/desperate people...There are always people in foreclosure, tax delinquency, inheriting houses they don't want/can't afford to keep, trying to get out of a terrible house/neighborhood...etc

If I understand you correctly this birddog brought you a willing and able buyer so you as the seller should pay for his service unless he had other arrangements with his buyer. 

That being said, this is not an impossible task to find affordable options.

Hello BiggerPockets  Community,I'm a contractor/consultant in Northern Virginia providing Home Automation (The Internet of Things - "Smart" devices), Security & AudioVideo design & installation services for both commercial and residential properties.

Be real about what you can afford.#5 - Basic understanding of Accounting.  

Keep in mind this 8% PM part is best case scenario. 14% is likely more realistic long run with lease up fees and service calls.

Affordability of housing is a big problem for median income earners, with most of them being pushed to the suburbs and beyond to find quality affordable housing.

Being a landlord is a service business.

There are certainly going to be some tried and true elements, but we believe as technology, culture, etc. change that so may business structures and practices.With all of that said, as brokers and agents, what service, support, and features are most valuable and most attractive to you in where you choose to do business?

At the end of the day it doesn't cost me much time or money and I now have more leads than I can afford to mail (no more driving for a while).