Can I use multiple RE agents in the same market?

[Paul OBryan]

I would like to know the etiquette or standard for dealing with more than one agent in the same market. Can I engage two simultaneously if they are showing me different properties? Or do I have to be loyal to one?

Thanks!

[Bob Floss II]

@Tammy Tivis One of the hard parts about real estate is working with parties without an understanding of everyone's experience level and knowledge base.  We just did a deal with a fairly experienced broker that we have done several deals with in the past.  We had problems with other real estate deals and we needed to switch the 1031 account purchasing the building the morning of the closing and swap out earnest money.  I received an onslaught of text messages calling me and my client 'amateur hour' and refusing to help.  We ended up getting it done and switching the purchasing 1031, but during the closing the same agent admitted he didn't understand how a 1031 works.  

The point is, some agents expect everything to be very vanilla and every buyer puts down 20% and puts up 10% or more earnest money and uses conventional financing.  Don't let them bother you, they have a very narrow vision in real estate.  If you are closing deals and everyone is getting paid, it shouldn't matter how you are getting the deal done.