Is there a cheaper Internet alternative?  

Buying with cash removes these issues and opens up doors to buy cheaper, off market properties which is really what you need to make brrrr work in most markets.

A license is required to broker real estate in the USA so not only do you run the risk of operating an illegal business by going this route you could also simply just get a license and receive vastly cheaper training from a brokerage. 

Or cheaper?

It performs well each month and doesn’t cause me much of any headache so I’m apprehensive to change anything there.The second one was just purchased last year and I am not ready to sell, refinance, or add equity since it’s a cheaper older condo.

At first, a few tradesmen were recommended (electrician, plumber) though I ended up replacing them with guys who do the same quality of work for significantly cheaper.

I was also thinking the flipper may be willing to sell a bit cheaper if we did not use a realtor.  

Are they supposed to be renting a nice updated home for significantly cheaper than the cost to own?

I have heard that money lending tends to dry up during the recession, but I also assume that properties would be cheaper.

The cost to do this is much cheaper than the cost of the animal.