I am very educated in the REI field, and I am a licensed mortgage broker in the State of Colorado.

Do I need my brokers approval?

In my area any decent investment property is selling for $500K or more (many of the good ones are closer to a mil) so its been difficult to find $150K - $200k for a down payment...Have you spoken with a mortgage broker?

Tim-You know your a real estate investor when:You find properties on you own and not ask you realtor to send you a list of properties that have cat urineYou have access to Title search accounts when you not a broker, real estate agent, or loan officerWhen you have enough time to talk all day on a real estate web forum and not have to worry about who is going to pay the bills (if any LOL)

According to my Commercial Broker Loopnet significantly increased their fees and a lot of people in the industry are pulling out.

The listing agent may not be willing to work with someone who is "brokering" this deal, although you are not, they may not understand what you are doing.

I was told by a mortgage broker that the certain city I am looking in a is a "depreciating market".

Also, the real estate broker offered us $500 to move out.

I spoke to a broker I work with from time to time and he recommended I use a lease to purchase.

I would: Get 3-5 brokers looking for property for you.