I would use a broker, as they have access to multiple insurance companies, rather than going to a single agent that represents a single insurance line (like Farmers).Andy

you are going to have to get access to the property and have some one help you estimate the repairs. 

The "personal gain" for your Realtor in introducing you to a preferred lending partner is likely to be limited to transaction comfort and accessibility  as well as referrals to other buyers/sellers. 

I would get it under an option contract subject to you having access and doing more due diligence.

I'm sure other people will name other apps/programs that work perfectly fine, but I use truerent.com It's simple, allows record keeping, file uploads, and user access for property owners and tenants.

I am targeting high end short sales and I need access to the mls for a refferal fee, any suggestions?

Working with real estate agents allows you to have access to homes that are on MLS.

The bay front area (5 blocks from Gannon is getting better and better.  

On her phone came a new MLS listed foreclosure alert which happened to be 1 block from where we were and by the end of the day I was in my first "highest and best" showdown. 

There are also several government incentivized programs for note investors that other investors do not have access to.