This will get you access to the most amount of possible students.

We also have provisions in place where any one partner can stop contribution 'labor' (PM, book keeping, maintenance work etc...) and still get a share of the profits, if it is a matter of not wanting or being able to put in as much time but still interested in having the investment.Dan Dietz

Just worried about not be able to see or access the house if I need to. 

there is nothing the other can or can not do.A Direct writing agent, who represents a single company, and per their contract cannot sell other insurance carrier products, may be giving a bias very point.Just find an independent Broker/Agent and you can get access to multiple insurance options.

I have decided to take the plunge, stop building for other developers and do it for myself. 

The only thing stopping you is some salesmanship.

I assume I should still be notifying him when I have somebody working on the property or when I need legal access?

I cannot access info with only an address.

I am not a licensed agent but I went through the classes but ultimately decided not to take the test because I just wanted MLS access. 

A lot will depend on what type of real estate you want to become involved with; rentals, flips, wholesaling, brrr, singles, multi-family, commercial, etc.Here are a few suggestions:  (especially for singles and small multi-family)  concentrate on the best school district, get the worst house on a great block, stop your car and get our and actually speak to people working on their yard or just sitting on their porch, eat at a local mom/pop coffee shop--sit at the counter and speak to the waitress and customers.