I live on long island, closing costs are 25k plus down payments.  2 family houses are MINIMUM 400k but hoping to take advantage of this virus and find some deals. 

as a new agent you need to decide where you will hang your license,(broker), you dont work on your own, part of the idea is than an experienced agent will over see you and help you work,there are many companies out there, interview with a few, let them talk, most would rather hear themselves anyway, steer clear of more independents that boast letting you keep more, not for newbees, i started out with national chains till going to remax after many years, the chains will will have additional training for you, I also mentored two other agents after hitting elite status on nationals, be ready to give some of commission for mentoring, dont volunteer it up front, you will have many fees to pay starting out, sometimes you can also be an assistant to a major agent too, you will list thru a multiple listing service that other agents used to find houses, public too, they cost also for membership, on your own you cant list on craigs and do open houses, there are some who only list and some who only sell, and some inbetween, if you are lucky enough to get both sides, suggest you get someone else to take buyers side for transaction if you have iron clad relationship, or stay neutral, some list only to take buyers elsewhere, one house one sale, one house many buyers, what ever you do stay intouch with listings, plus with national agency lots of experience, lots of ads, national website, referrals,traing avail if you got in this to work from home and make a large commission right away you got sold, fees will eat you up, sales take time, money and experience, some get in it to buy their own, that is an option too, do lots of phone time, stay friendly with all in office, avoid politics of all kinds, do rentals to pay the fees, they can  turn into buyers, expect to make first listing within 3-6 months, sale 6 months, till up to speed, my standard was 2 of each a month, some more some less depend on season, can tell you stories.... doing floor time once had buyer walk in, said wanted to spend no more than 2, turns out was million, no one wanted to do floor time, also my first listing was a real frank loyd wright home, other agents would me give their rental lookers, be willing for all, I worked in area of NJ where a famous golf course is, was one of few that belonged to all 3 mls, so had advantage, a $1500 corp rental relocation will some day buy, get to know the relo person, we used to give nice gifts to clients, make it something they will see everyday not flowers or candy

No one really is at a competative advantage or disadvantage, and rather than being scared, most people are bored and itching to get out and DO stuff. 

Your 401k gets certain tax advantages that you don't get as an individual, so I would recommend still keeping those contributions in place. 

Hi everyone.What do you think being your own agent in your investment deals is advantage or not?

Once you have a signed lease agreement though, you can use that projected tenant income as qualifying income, rather than counting the debt of rentals against you (debt limits), you can use this to your advantage.

Equity that builds in the same spot, is not taking advantage of its potential...and is in fact losing you money. 

My typical strategy is BRRR so I can take advantage of getting a short term profit and long term income.  

Some folks may recommend jumping in now and other may try holding out a little longer to take advantage of a slower economy, but these are different circumstances that no one has ever experienced.  

I am saying that having knowledge will empower you to dig out of the bad and take advantage of the good.