Regardless of whether or not you get an agent, you should talk to girls who've been in the business long enough to tell the good guys from the scum, how things should work, how scum will try to take advantage of new girls, what rates should be, etc.

At one point this spring Gen rented out a room in her house to talent wanting a place to stay in LA - if she's still doing it and the room is available, this is highly recommended at least for the first trip.