Being an agent takes a decent amount of time to get up to speed and you have alot of costs to be part time [mls, e&o, marketing etc]The expectation of buyers and sellers are much different approach than buying for yourself.I was a top agent and switched to flipping [ but made enough commissions to get into flipping just because you might make $6000 as commission but $40k doing a flip, both have benefits and disadvantages and tax implications and if you work for a broker part time they take a good chunk of your commission. 

As an added benefit, I made $5,000 in commission for the transaction and they referred me my new tenants.Would I recommend this to the majority of first time landlords?  

I mean you got to find that seller that is willing to take far less for their property than what its worth.. then you have to coordinate with a buyer etc etc.. so its just a commission game on the fringe.these bigger on line companies as stated actually close and resell.Just google Offerpad Las Vegas and pop on their site you will see houses for sale and they are not assigning contracts they own them 

Either way the seller will be paying the commission so it offers no savings to you.

Also, I know closing costs on both sides of the deal is a lot but I am thinking worst case scenario if its what's needed to make the sale.REO list price: 50,000ARV: 110,000Comps: 100,000-115,000Offer price: 50,000Home inspection: $500Closing costs/taxes/fees: estimated 5,500Estimated rehab cost: 20,000Carrying costs: 1,500Loan amount: 55,000Out of pocket cost: 20,500 (down payment, home inspection, closing costs and fees)Loan terms: 12 months @ 10% interest + 3 points at closingTotal cost of house + rehab: 75,500Sell price: 105,000Gross Profit: 34,500REA commission: 5% (5,250)Closing costs: 5% (5,250)GC share: 10% of profit (3,450)Carrying cost: 1,500Out of pocket expenses: 20,500Loan interest: 1,000+/-Loan points: 3,100Costs: 36,450Net profit: -1,550Taxes: loss

Newer agents on teams with low splits to themselves.Imagine a 1 million price and commission is 30,000 to listing brokerage.

If they will commission only from the deals that they get under contract what percentage seems to make the most sense to keep a talented person on your team and happy?

I am wondering how much he would be making more in commission by selling me the mortgage at 4.37% vs say 4.125%. 

You can also possibly get a commission split on your first deal as a buyer's agent.Start in your back yard!

I could have received a buyer commission if I pushed it, but I let it go.