How to find a good Real Estate Agent

Question

Hello! Anyone willing to provide tips on how to find a good real estate agent? Any good questions that I should be asking them?

Mya Toohey · Answer

I'm a Realtor in Tampa Florida and I get calls all the time from Newbie investors wanting my help.  For me to work with an investor they have to be ready to purchase.  They have to be ready to make offers on properties site unseen and have to have proof of funds or pre-approval letter.  Our market is selling well above market price so there is no time to make low ball offers or waste agents time.  Contractors will not even go look at a property unless there is an excepted offer on it.  There is almost no way to get into the market as a new investor given the current market unless you have the ability to buy this way.  I will always help out a new investor with questions and help them get with a hard money lender but I will not put in ANY offers with out them being able to actually purchase.  I have been burned too many time.  I have put in multiple offers in for investors only to find that they don't have enough money to even buy a property.  A Good Investment agent will be interviewing you.  That's how you know you have a good agent.

Corby Goade · Answer

Sure- ask if they invest themselves. How would they be able to assist you in deal analysis? Ask how they know what local average rents for specific property types are and what vacancy rates for those specific properties are. If they stumble or site Craigslist, they're probably not for you. Realtors are a sneaky bunch and less successful ones will tell you they are "experts" in whatever it is you are looking for, you've got to be diligent.

Also keep in mind- a GOOD agent likely won't be able to hold your hand and be at your beck and call. There's a find balance here. Many rookies think that their agent should be available to them at all hours and write hundreds of lowball offers and thank them for the opportunity. The reality is that any agent willing to do those things is desperate and likely has little to no experience. You need a savvy agent who can truly negotiate and agents like that are busy.

Good luck!

Frank Hinck · Answer

@Tiffany Jaruda

Checkout the local subForum for your area and post this question there.    An investor friendly agent is not necessarily the one you see plastered on bus benches and in the phone book

How to find a good Real Estate Agent

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