Even if you have the down payment and post closing networth/liquidity, you will still need to meet the requirement of experience in order to get approved for agency debt.

As for Agents if your not working weekends at least in the beginning your not doing all the much on the revenue side.

Everyone know any DST that purchased 40% LTV Core-only Class A for agency loan for 8 years fixed debat would have lower risk than 90% bridge-loan from LoanCore.Property Risk, some area and some class would have different risk depending on its location even if it's located on the same geographical area.

I told them my budget, my strategy (BRRRR, Fix & Flip, STR, LTR), and the area I was focused on.2 - My lender was also an investor and familiar with the area, so I asked them for recommendations for agents, property managers and contractors/handyman.3 - I interviewed everyone and I also asked them if they had recommendations.4 - All of the interviews are time-consuming, but it is all part of the process. 

I had long suspected that BP's agent finder services are paid, precisely because of the way BP was advertising for agents to sing up. 

Also title companies offer CE courses for agents, but you don’t need to be an agent to attend. 

Do you have any recommendations for Agents or Lenders that are familiar with REI in the Blacksburg/Christiansburg, VA area?

People representing themselves and doing activities held out for agents and brokers even though they were either not acting in that capacity or were not licensed to begin with. 

If you look through my post history you'll find I have no love lost for agents.

Start asking/looking around in your local area for agents (instagram is great for watching agents) and see who (which agent) seems to be informative and helpful in teaching the process of buying/selling real estate.