Do You Look For an "Investor Friendly" Certification?

Question

I was listening to one of Michael Quarless's podcasts the other day, and he mentioned having a "certified investor mentor" classification. This made me think about how many agents in my office work with "investors" and show them condos in D.C. which have no chance of cashflowing.

Do you as an investors, see value in a certified investor friendly agent? The CIAS program seems like a complete scam, for both agents, and those who use agents with the CIAS. Does biggerpockets offer the value you look for in finding accredited professionals?

Ellis San Jose · Answer

My opinion is that most agent "certifications" are a waste of time for the agent & an additional profit center for the training companies & Board of Realtors.

Finding investment knowledgeable agents can be a challenge.  Sometimes just networking at the local investment clubs will help you ferret out who knows their stuff & who doesn't.

John Steele · Answer

In my opinion a certification is not necessary, I would base it more on the agent's skills and abilities. I would bet that there are a ton of agents that would be a great resource for investors that do not have any certification and at the same time, agents that are certified and still not competent working with investors.

I think that it comes down to the investor doing their due diligence when searching for an investor friendly agent or agents. Interview them, see how they answer your questions and how they carry themselves when talking numbers, strategies and investments. Sending them properties to analyze and comp and then compare it to your analysis to see if they are coming up with similar results to what you expect. If their numbers are different from yours, see if they can defend/ support their findings when questioned.