The laws between States differ significantly.

Moreover, laws prohibit the licensed agent from compensating you without your own license so you can't get money from the agent by bringing a buyer.Start by working on those objections and see where it goes.

The mortgage industry was not all but halted by the appraisal process and any policy of not speaking directly to an appraiser had nothing to do with law, but policies the bankers put in place to keep ignorant loan officers from breaking the regulatory changes. 

They can make the rules, so long as it doesn't violate local license law. 

There's also companies that build "empty" towers and lease out tower space to a variety of other services (public safety, WISP, industry, etc.).

(not sure about NC's laws but in MA you need a supervisors license) If you do take the GC I highly recommend hiring an architect that will design your space, as well as an engineer if you are tearing down walls.

can anyone recommend a good real estate attorney to Handel a closing and basic landlord/Tennant law advice in or near  Statesville NC?

This is only under current law.  

Would anybody be able to refer me to a good real estate attorney with experience on setting up holding and management companies, and landlord/tenant law in the Houston, Texas area?

About 10 hours is needed to study business law and real estate law, you better know what a tort is before messing with a property owner's head!