@Geoffrey W.
Hate to always rain on parades, but;
When you go into any business, the first thing to do is to check if your business plans are compliant with laws, are the functions of that business regulated? In many areas dealing in RE, they are.
"Data Collection" that depends on what data you collect and if you are providing valuations for a fee, in any manner. Providing anyone with a property valuation is an appraisal. Appraisers are regulated, requires a license. Realtors are exempt from appraising requirements as part of their representation in providing services, a BPO is a "Broker's Price Opinion" not an appraisal and it requires a license.
"Home Inspections" giving anyone an opinion of property condition for a fee is what home inspectors do, again, regulated with license requirements.
You mentioned flips, I'm betting that in your area, like mine, a homeowner is limited to what they can repair or construct in a residential area, now we are talking Contractors. Regulated and license requirements.
The "Handyman" depends on what you do, you can probably hang a new door, paint the place, hang ceiling fans, but you can't get into trades that are regulated, electrical, plumbing, major construction where permits may be needed......generally. My rule of thumb for the handyman is whatever a homeowner is permitted to do, a handyman can do.
"Employed Property Agents" an apartment owner or an investor owning rentals can hire with W-2 type compensation to perform on site management duties, without having a RE license. You can be employed by more than one entity, but if you begin offering management services to just anyone, then you cross the line as a property manager which requires a license. The key here is your employment status. Being employed by Bob on Monday then employed by Steve for the next three days won't cut it.
Bird-dogging can be done as an employee or in a business entity, such as a partnership and you compensation can be whatever might be agreed to. Freelancing as a bird-dog for compensation is an agent function. Investors and RE operators need to crack open a basic business law text book and learn about different types of agency relationships, how they are formed, responsibilities to a principle and how holding yourself out to the public is determined to be practicing some professional service.
Now, there is the law and there is some grey area in reality, however what I see investors trying to do is more about how to justify breaking some law (always asking how can I do this and circumvent this law). It is the spirit of the law that needs to be followed as well as the letter of the law.
To find out what you can do, first need to understand what you can't do, then do anything else except what you shouldn't be doing, those services that require a license. Investors need to understand what other professions exist in the real estate arena and when you cross the line of practicing in a regulated profession.
Frankly, when I have a question concerning a licensed activity, I certainly don't ask those who do that activity, I never met someone who says something like "oh, yes, I operate my business illegally, no big deal, I've never been caught!" Go to the "horses mouth" call the TREC and ask if they consider an activity a violation of law, they will tell you. But, when you ask make sure you fully explain how you intend on doing something, for example "I will take title" or " I will not be taking title".
It really doesn't matter what the opinions are of other investors or dealers or operators, it may not even matter what your attorney's opinion might be, although they are the best to give legal advice, what really matters is the opinion of your real estate commission. They make the call as to charging you with a violation, they have administrative powers to levy fines in hearings, they can also have someone arrested and charged. See what they say, then weigh the consequences and decide what to do. :)