Newbie, Clueless on working with realtor, Am I doing this right?

Question

I would love your input and help with this.  Here’s the story.  My partner and I are looking to invest in our first deal.  We live in Los angeles and we are looking to get a duplex in the Palm Springs/Coachella Valley area. (about 100 miles out of LA) Here’s where I need you help.

My partner is a home owner in Los Angeles. He hooked us up with the realtor that helped him buy his house.  She’s great, however she lives in Los Angeles.  Wouldn’t it be better for us to get a real estate agent in the area we are looking to buy?  The Palm Springs/Coachella Valley area.  I don’t feel that just getting the MLS email alerts that she has signed us up with is enough.

After meeting her, and she said she would like to help us find a deal, I had no idea that we were basically committing ourselves to working with her.

How would you handle this?

Thanks!

Matt Schuberg · Answer

As others have mentioned, I think your best bet is finding a realtor that's local to the area you're looking to purchase. It would be extremely difficult for the LA realtor will be able to identify good opportunities in the Palm Springs area if something comes up.

It's not like realtors are hard to come by :)

Emre Görü · Answer

Hi @Todd Tyler sorry for late reply, I just saw your post. Actually as you said a local realtor would be much better for you becauseof in case of you need something, s/he should be there on time. You are not in city as well. I know a great realtor in that area, she closes a deal almost every week. So that she knows almost every activity in that area. Even just talking to her would give you a massive  idea about your plans and projects. Her name is Ahu, you can find the contact details in the link below. I wish you the best with your investing.

https://www.bdhomes.com/agent_profile.asp?id=2101

Eric Kramer · Answer

@Todd Tyler I am an agent that works out of Palm Desert and have been searching for a duplex myself over the past few months. I am familiar with the area (grew up in the area and went to Palm Springs High School), if there is anything that I can help you with feel free to message me.

Joshua Allen · Answer

If you haven't signed anything to work with her you have ZERO obligation to use her. Throw her a bone and tell her you'd like to work with an agent that focuses or is based out of the area you are looking at. She can receive a referral fee for it and you'll get the service/ knowledge base that you should expect from a local market expert.

Chrissy Parsons · Answer

@Todd Tyler, I agree with the general sentiment of finding a local realtor. @Aly Vizcarra mentioned that rapport can be a good thing, but transferring local knowledge used in helping to find a home to live in  doesn't necessarily translate to helping investors 100 miles away.

I'd think about doing some marketing to find the off-market deals. Think about contacting a list broker to work on a targeted motivated seller list for the area that can help you meet your goals.

Aly Vizcarra · Answer

@Todd Tyler I understand how you feel... 100 miles is a long way. But certain MLS's have a very large radius. (reciprocal agreements) If she has access to the MLS that covers PS, then she's going to show you what's available when it's time to look at houses.  Before the internet, a local agent was the only way to go. If you can only see houses on Saturday, she can most definitely show you houses that meet your criteria on a Saturday.  A local agent won't show you MLS houses any faster.

Now if you're looking for off-market deals, then having a local agent probably better.

If you absolutely feel you need a local agent then I think @David Hines hit it right on the head.  She can refer you to someone local and still get a fee for the time she's put in.

If you partner has a relationship/rapport with this agent, then you're working with a trusted resource. That is very valuable.

Lastly, it's completely acceptable to voice your concerns directly to her.  Agents either develop a thick skin or find another way to make a living.   :)

Best of luck Sir

Todd Tyler · Answer

Thanks David.  Great idea!

Todd Tyler · Answer

Thanks for your input Dennis. I really Appreciate it.

Newbie, Clueless on working with realtor, Am I doing this right?

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