I am trying to establish a working relationship with some agents in the area with the hope that they have some clients or know somebody who wants to sell.  

people living under the same single fam roof/dwelling don't routinely collect RENT from the rest of their family as  LANDLORD-TENANT relationship(s), even if it is their MOTHER IN LAW =Dthus, while the house may have a grandfathered (or grandparented to be more PC?)

If you make relationships with them,  you have options.

Add to that the down and out areas that are having major revitalization...Bishop Arts, Trinity Groves, more development in Historic East Dallas, etc.  

If you want checkbook control, IRA LLC facilitators usually have relationships with low cost custodians that don't have any issues with the LLC use.If you are eligible, you may find that the Solo 401k fits your needs and can be a nice alternative to IRA custodial requirements.

I had a great relationship with the owners so the job that I was working in Tennessee agreed to pay out my commissions from deals that I closed before moving to Indiana.  

I plan to attend an REIA meeting this week, actually a few, and have started building relationships with people from my county in the appraisal district and banks.

I think it's all about the relationship building.

I suggest you ask a couple title companies that you have a relationship with, whst you want to accomplish, ask them how you could do that and let them decide how they would like to do it.

I am not necessarily asking for a job, more like the opportunity to get some experience, learn, grow, and build good relationships with those already investing in real estate.