I'm an agent working in investment RE here in SA for quite some time now and would love to share some knowledge with you and maybe talk about how the housing market is loooking forward.

The agent value comes in analyzing the value, neighborhood trend/knowledge, how to read/research the seller as to motivation, protective and trap clauses in the wording of the contract, which lenders actually perform, which title companies to avoid, which inspectors to use/avoid, how to negotiate when problems occur prior to closing, etc, etc.....all of which You you are not experienced/competent in.So, You decide.

Again, thanks for any advice and I can't wait until I can reciprocate my knowledge. 

She is knowledgable and has some investment properties of her own.

It depends on the kind of reputation you have, and or create for yourself.My thought process is based on trust, knowledge of their market and property investing in general, commitment to me and their other clients and follow through.

I do have some knowledge of the process of developing land as I work for a commercial general contractor in the area and I’m also a residential real estate agent so I feel like I have many pieces of the overall puzzle but can see the full picture yet.

Gain knowledge and get out there and meet people.

A lot of forum members are very knowledgeable in their respective fields related to real estate investing, whether that is real estate sales, wholesaling, flipping, rentals, lending, self-directed IRA and Solo 401k investing, or tax and legal guidance.Discounts on some products and services are offered to BP members: https://www.biggerpockets.com/perks/proAlerts can be really helpful too: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsThere are a few self-contained guides that you can access here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides

I was introduced to this site with the intentions of meeting some great individuals who can pass along their knowledge and experience to help a new investor like myself, learn how to get started in real estate investing. 

A lot of forum members are very knowledgeable in their respective fields related to real estate investing, whether that is real estate sales, wholesaling, flipping, rentals, lending, self-directed IRA and Solo 401k investing, or tax and legal guidance.Discounts on some products and services are offered to BP members: https://www.biggerpockets.com/perks/proAlerts can be really helpful too: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsThere are a few self-contained guides that you can access here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides