For example, I could ask them whether a potential property is worth investing in based on their knowledge of rent prices, growth, and crime in the area.Also, I know many investors don't recommend management companies.

@Roy Oliphant I will be interested in counties with the right investment dynamics of population, employment and growth prospects.

Finally digging through the dol.gov, found a helpful link: http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/realestate/assistants.htmlI see that you don't need a license if you are:Property management assistantsUnlicensed assistants who provide property management brokerage services for the owner, designated broker, or managing broker may perform the following tasks and duties:Unlicensed assistants may… Deliver lease applications, leases, or any amendments.Receive lease applications, leases, amendments, security deposits, rental payments, or any related payment for delivery to, and made payable to, the owner or real estate firm.Show rental units.Execute leases or rental agreements, rental payments, or any related payment for delivery to, and made payable to, the owner or real estate firm.Act as a scrivener, completing blanks on preprinted and preapproved rental agreements with the exact language provided by the property owner, designated broker, or managing broker.

Long-term population growth of at least 50% of the national average (preferably more)3.

How's the rental market and the job growth in that area.

I have been looking at different places to invest.I am looking for advice on the best tool to use to help with appreciation, job growth, etc that would help me.I have looked at a few tools, like zillow, trulia (to look at sold properties) but I was looking for more historical data on appreciation.Any advice would be appreciated!

@Jordan DecuirI have made contact with an agent on Linked in and she has mentioned working with me but I am not sure if she is as up to the task as I would hope.Without her being compensated, initially, for some of the things I am asking, I feel as if she is putting me on the back burner (so to speak).I just did the @ and your name but nothing was prepopulated.

I provide work for them to do, tell them on what days it needs to be completed, and how many hours or lump sum I am willing to pay them for in order to complete the task, but I can't dictate when they work.SO...

Thanks,My guess is that some newer investors find hiring contractors to be a daunting task (which it most certainly as for newbie investors) and they think that by partnering with a contractor, it relieves them of the responsibility of having to do their due diligence, put together a scope of work, put together a budget, etc.The problem with that reasoning is that they aren't relieving themselves of the responsibility -- they are just transferring it to someone who probably isn't any better at than they are, and are locking themselves into a relationship that would be a lot more difficult to extract themselves from than just firing a contractor.Plus, investors tend to make less money this way.In other words, partnering with a contractor is most often a lose/lose situation for an investor.

Some cities have seen unit growth of 30%-50%.