I agree with everything suggested above as far as the podcasts, webinars and networking with all the fabulous folks here on BP, but my two cents which has been so helpful to me is...invest in obtaining your license which will help you with your own deals, there are so many benefits to being licensed, you don't have to wait on a realtor to send you properties, gives you a much greater sense of market familiarity, you are privy to speak with all vendors involved in the transaction etc! 

Just make sure that most of the credit is for cash, thought credit from firms like Home depot and vendors as such are good as well.Also from my reading its easer to get vendors of say carpet. paint companies to offer financing for there products.It appears with the ability to pay for credit references to build up your credit profile, you should be better off qualifying for credit lines at banks.We mostly look for cash credit to buy property and to spend for re-hab materials.

How do those of you in partnerships split your duties and communicate with the same vendor?

You can take a look at my vendor Andy Morris or Realty Trust Services. 

I would not take any buyers from my listing agent and market the property myself or with the help of vendors.

@Rong Liu,I think she is referring to landlord/landlord PM/representative not going for slumlord status/barely repairing/maintaining the property.i would look also at local HA interaction with local vendors (power company, green energy,...), classes available to educate landlords.but mostly talk with local landlords with at least 3 years under the belt

I am assuming it would be wrong within a BPO, to write a question to the lender in the comment section, ie......do you need help arranging vendors, paying utilities, etc..?

Find the website of the club call club officials and several vendors to find out about the club and get referrals from.Two Great reads, I bought both J.

I've used Chase Quickpay to pay a vendor who has an account with them.

When is the last time any vendor called you to tell you that they were thinking about rising the prices you pay at the store or anywhere else you shop?