Hi Lisa, As an investor, I have worked with all types of realtors, but for investment property I would say that you have to have an experienced realtor in investment properties or you have to have enough experience for the deal to work with.Experienced Realtor will help you with the contract (which in many cases are not simple), but most importantly with spotting issues in the property that could cost you thousands.Your concern is valid so it is important to sign a Buyer Representation Agreement, in which case the realtor has to work for you over his/her own interest (or you can sue him).The idea is not to sue them, but to make sure you trust them enough to work with them. 

It was very outdated but had no major renovation costs.

Consider using the reverse wholesale method, where you connect with buyers at local REIAs and meetups to understand their specific property preferences and then market deals tailored to their needs.

There are different levels of methods.

For example, the costs to obtain the mortgage are typically amortized over the life of the loan.Real estate also offers expenses that do not involve cash coming out of your pocket. 

I believe they are recouping costs associated with loans they don't close.

I have been advising friends and family against investing here due to high costs and no cashflow for years.

All I can say is that there are memberships that cost tens of thousands of dollars.What I tell people is find a local investor and take them to  a nice lunch for 30 bucks and see if it goes well. 30 bucks no harm no foul. 25,000 to a membership not working out possibly is a huge deal for many. 

Villas and houses are also selling and renting exceptionally well.As you may be aware, the Tulum and PDC markets are dollarized, but many soft and hard costs are in Mexican pesos.

@Roy Gottesdiener House hacking is a beginner method.