However its probably appropriate up front to ask.. how do they handle customer communication and how quickly do they respond per their business systems..  

You need to incentivize them to mentor you or partner with you, either you work pro bono for them or bring something to the table of value.To your comment about "shady" or dishonest, I would encourage to you be as honest and forthcoming as possible, I don't know about you but I got into real estate because I wanted to do something meaningful, profitable for my family's benefit, I wanted to benefit from my level of effort rather than giving it to someone else, and most of all I wanted to make the world a better place by improving whatever it is I am working on; I want to be able to lay my head on the pillow at night knowing I did everything I could today to move forward in a positive direction and did so with integrity in order to prevent any form of regret. 

Even if he knows a good lawyer, that lawyer will not work for free - if he has enough money to pay a lawyer, he has enough money to pay his rent.Second, if he had a lawyer, the lawyer would tell him that he is not to talk to you directly any more. 

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Nothing cash flows in Nashville gotta go over an hour in any direction 

View report*This link comes directly from our calculators, based on information input by the member who posted.

View report*This link comes directly from our calculators, based on information input by the member who posted.

At my age, I tend to drift that direction, but I am looking at how to position myself to take advantage of the contraction and am trying to find any other techniques than "Build up as much cash as you can and buy discounted". 

If the gables are tilted the same direction as the common field trusses then the whole roof shifted.....

Direct MLS access is also a plus.