When becoming a real estate investor, whomever you put on your team will decide whether or not you make money in this game. Nobody has reached high summits of success in real estate without the help of others. Here is a list of professionals that you must have on your side before picking up any deal.

Other Wholesalers - Other wholesalers and flippers. Find us on craigslist and Facebook. A wholesaler has already built a list of potential buyers, and may have access to other resources you don't. Just ask them to lunch or meet up somewhere, and offer yourself to help them close a deal. If you could help make a wholesaler 10-14K, not only will you have built up experience, you will have made a few grand as well!

Hard Money Lenders - The hard money lenders are the guys who can help you fund your transactions quickly and they usually charge a % of the amount borrowed, anywhere from 13-18%. Hard money lenders can also provide transactional funding. Transactional funding is necessary if a bank does not allow you to close a deal with your end buyers cash, so its very important you have this lined up for every deal.

Attorneys - Attorneys who specifically focus on creative real estate. If a lawyer is not familiar with a double closing, or a wholesale deal, lose the number. Many lawyers like to claim they make deals, but end up breaking them. If you run into a lawyer at a real estate networking event, chances are that attorney is someone you should talk to. Take time to visit them at their office and build rapport. If an attorney charges you by the hour can be expensive, make sure you are not getting charged for each second you spend with them talking.

Buyer Agents - Agents hold the key to the most valuable tool in the REO game, the MLS. Once you get a criteria, your agent can create a hot sheet with the specific property your buyers are looking for and automatically generate a email to notify you when a deal is available.

REO Agents - They usually list a property with their contact information in front of the property. Call and ask to be put on their fax or email list. You should have 4-5 agents when you get up and running, but 1-2 should be ok for starters.

Mortgage Brokers - Mortgage brokers are tricky to find because there is no true way to measure good vs. bad brokers. Brokers who work with investors will advertise to them on various classified sites, and will post flyers at local real estate clubs