In addition to the previous points, depending on the company, you may even be able to wholesale some of your deals to them.Add them to your potential buyers list and examine their own marketing techniques/practices to see if there is anything you could apply to your own business. 

If you do a simultaneous deal, even if it is all cash, it throws red flags everywhere.

Is this a normal practice/fee?

It is wise to stay on top of your personal business affairs as a mater of good practice. 

People forget that a big employer here, Scott & White, have many employees that need homes to rent or buy while working on their residency or starting their practice in medicine. 

Folks need to see their attorney and conform to local practice, just because you file Articles of Incorporation doesn't mean you LLC will be working as you might think. :)

A license issued by the IDFPR certifies that the real estate broker has fulfilled all of the  requirements of licensure under the Act. 225 ILCS 454/1-10.As of December 31, 2009, the Illinois Real Estate License Act of 2000 provides for a private right of action when private citizens can seek to stop the unlicensed practice of real estate brokerage. 225 ILCS 454/20-21(c).Other than as provided in Section 5-20 of this Act, if any person practices as a real estate broker, real estate salesperson or leasing agent or holds himself or herself out as a licensed sponsoring broker, managing broker, real estate broker, real estate salesperson or leasing agent under this Act without being issued a valid existing license by the Department, then any licensed sponsoring broker, managing broker, real estate broker, real estate salesperson, leasing agent, any interested party, or anyperson injured thereby may, in addition to the Secretary, petition for relief as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

After all, these are real estate attorneys, licensed to practice law, etc.  

I am an attorney and I had an attorney set my LLC up becuase I do not practice corporate law and do not fully understand all small issues involved.

That way you are getting practice and avoiding the paralysis.