People at the firms have screeners before you ever have a chance of talking to them.They want to know who somebody is, what they want, and show capability to do what they are saying they can do.

The only thing a judge or the state license board cares about is the laws and what is in writing in the contract.If your contract has a starting date and completion date I prefer to ask him to sit down while you are talking to him, be firm and talk about his contractual obligation.

Go get em !

That's essentially exactly how most real estate firms operate with a team structure.

The idea is to keep the property until the firm outgrows it and then rent it.

The focus of big box firms is to collect monthly fees and commission splits from agents and that means you want your agents to be "marketing experts" - not so much real estate experts.

A seller will be hesitant to vacate a unit unless you put up a non refundable EM, as your financing may fall through. 

I would recommend partnering with a licensed agent in the firm you plan to work for.

One of my clients is using such a firm now and so far it has been a great experience. 

I currently work as a Business Development and Marketing professional for an engineering firm in the Dallas area.