Seems like you got the answer to your question and have a very well rounded assessment of your realtor's motivation/ethics.  

This house had a large bonus room which I use as a bedroom and a half bath on the first floor, and after living there one year, I renovated the half bath to a full to add more value.

My plan: - Stick around work for another 6 months to get annual bonus, etc. then move out of the house hack, rent the unit we were staying in and live out of our RV while exploring the country and picking up RE from time to time. (10k cash flow from Seattle property)- While I still have a high paying job and W-2 (I assume this will get me better rates, right?)

Specs -1500 sq ft size/ 6500 sq ft lotBuilt 1999House is great condition with no known issues yetThis house is in south creek area of Round Rock (RR)Offered for $285KRent (expected) $1600Thanks 

Yeah, it was all a pain (and we'd rather she stayed) but we were easily protected by that deposit.So look at it as a bonus:   There is higher income with those things factored in.  

Also do your homework on the neighborhoods ahead of time so you know what you are looking at.You are about to commit some hard earned cash on something so spending $400 on a round trip ticket somewhere isn't a waste of money.

Bonus depreciation may allow for 100 percent of thy shorter life property to be depreciated in year 1.Renovation:  Cost Segregation dissects shorter life property from renovations costs. 

I can't help you with the buyers agent, but be sure to network with us at MAREI and bring discussion to the Member's Only Round Table on Fridays.We have agents at both who can help you.

One of my family members has offered to round up a couple others who have experience with doing the type of cosmetics needed at this flip and will not charge me any labor whatsoever.

Hey, I am looking to buy/build a new home in Austin to live in. I want to rent out the spare bedrooms in the house and I was wondering where I should best invest my money. I am looking to spend 400k on a house and I w...