I'm Doing All the Work. Is This Typical with a Real Estate Agent?

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I'm Doing All the Work. Is This Typical with a Real Estate Agent?

April L.
Member since 2020 · 28 posts · 65 votes

I've been working with an agent for a few months now to buy my first STR property in the North Georgia mountains, but it feels like I'm doing all the work. She has me on an email drip but the criteria stinks and I can't even search for things, so I basically find homes on my own (Zillow or Realtor.com) and she makes appointments. It's exhausting because I have a full time job.

I just found out that she does NOT pay for the MLS to have access to Blue Ridge, GA, a big area of interest for me.

My agent says that she can contact agents and still book appointments for properties I send her, but I think I'm missing out on opportunities. I have two properties I really want to see, and after 5 days, she "has not heard from the selling agent."  

Would she have more success if she had access to the Blue Ridge MLS?

Should she have a more active role in helping me finding property?

I hate to give up on her. I mean she has already showed me a handful of properties and spent at least three full days on the weekend driving all over North Georgia, so I'd feel crappy replacing her at this point.

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Zach LemasterBusiness Member
Rental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
4y

@April L.

My recommendations are to be working with multiple agents/brokers in an area to see who will be bringing the best deals, and who performs the best.  You do not have to exclusively work with only one.  All my brokers know if they present me with the right deal, I will work with him on the transaction, but they need to be the one to bring it to me.  They also know when they do bring me something that fits my criteria, we buy it and don't waste their time.  A little competition is a good thing to ensure you are see all the best deals & getting to work with multiple agents.  Lastly, you will still need to put in the time and effort to ensure the deal is right for you to proceed with.  Brokers/agents help, but that ultimately comes down to you making the business decision as the owner.

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  • George Red
    Investor · Member since 2022 · 157 posts · 162 votes
    4y

    Hey April, I'm not an expert but my 2 cents...

    This resonated with me because the agent I've been using doesn't really "bring" me anything but if I shoot her a listing she'll do some of the legwork... but even then there are delays and she can sometimes be less than responsive. I've bought 3 properties through her in the past year so you would think I may get some TLC as someone who will close. I'm thinking my "fault" is not communicating to her clearly what I'm looking for from her and confirm that is something she can provide. I signed some documentation stating that I would work solely with her but will be terming that to work with additional agents as I feel there will be a lot of opportunities in the coming year. I think being clear with what you're looking for and your expectations may go a long way and ensure you're on the same page. You're frustrated but she may think she's meeting your needs and doing an awesome job.

    2Reply
  • Account Closed
    Real Estate Agent · Carlsbad, CA (carlsbad) · Member since 2021 · 2 posts · 5 votes
    4y

    Wow, 5 days! I don't even go 5 hours without following back up with the listing agent to get into the property. Agents have to be aggressive in this market more than ever. Especially if the home is a new listing. I'm sorry to hear your frustrations, wish I could help you out but I live in California and Licensed here. If you decide to try another agent, I have someone with ColdWell Banker I can refer you too. Best!

    5Reply
  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    4y

    Get a new agent. Someone who works for a livin'.

    5Reply
  • Porter Linton Anderson
    Real Estate Broker · Layton, UT · Member since 2019 · 18 posts · 11 votes
    4y

    This sounds soooo familiar to me. I am an agent in Utah and have rentals in other markets across the US and once had an agent that did almost the exact same things to me. Added to a list and left me to fend for myself when finding deals and took forever to reply on certain things. I found that being completely straightforward with her was the best solution. I told her flat out that her drive was severely lacking and that I felt I could find a much more helpful agent. I gave her a sort of ultimatum that if it didn't improve over the coming weeks that I would have to move on. I hoped she would get the idea but, nothing seemed to change... So I did what I said I would, I let her go. I made her aware of the issues and didn't feel bad at all when she still seemed to not care after our chat. I would recommend doing the same, putting the ball in their court by making them aware of what needs to change really clears you of feeling bad when it doesn't work out and you have to walk away. 

    You are providing her with business and if she doesn't want to help you there are loads of other agents who would be thrilled to work alongside you! Best of luck!

    5Reply
  • Reagen Natho
    Real Estate Agent · Texas Tennessee · Member since 2019 · 93 posts · 83 votes
    4y

    Find an agent in blue ridge that is connected and knows the local STR market like the back of their hand. I work with a team of rockstar agents that specialize in STR investing and the level of service you are receiving would never be acceptable.

    7Reply
  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    4y

    Ultimately you have the most to gain or lose.  Talk to her and ask how you can modify your criteria to find a place.  How many places have you looked at in the last few months with her?  If you've looked at a lot and didn't make any offers, she may think you aren't serious about buying a place.

    4Reply
  • Raymond J. RodriguesBusiness Member
    Lender · Miami, FL · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 797 votes
    4y

    Be transparent in what it is that you’re feeling and looking for. Give them an opportunity to make things whole. If they can’t fulfill your needs at that point, at least you both gave it an honest try which will end with no regret if you go elsewhere. Speak your mind and be free. @April L.

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  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    4y

    I think this is becoming typical for agents nowadays (at least in my experience). You are not beholden to her because she spent a couple weekends with you. This is business and you are about to make a huge purchase.

    Since you're finding houses yourself anyway, just call the sellers agent and say you'd like to see the place. Have them show it to you, and while you're there, ask if they will discount the price 3% if you don't bring in another agent.

    3Reply
  • Wilson Hunter
    Investor · Greenville, SC · Member since 2020 · 210 posts · 302 votes
    4y

    Some agents grew massive egos in the past couple years and act like buyers have to convince them to be their agent. Don’t fall for the reverse sale and gatekeeper tactics. There are still good agents out there - don’t settle.

    3Reply
  • Caroline Gerardo
    Lender · Washington DC · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    Call Carol Barbour and her  husband, done a few with them. Pay for your agent's gas and kindly say thank you. 

    3Reply
  • Mike Dymski
    Investor · Greenville, SC · Member since 2016 · 5k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    4y

    Unfortunately, this is not abnormal in real estate.  The good news is that you likely learned a lot more by doing it yourself for a while.  Others have provided good advice above.

    3Reply
  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    4y

    No one has mentioned this.. but this is quite common .. IE many states have many different MLS systems .. and its rare that agents will join one not close to them or in their core market just to service one client..

    for instance in the Portland metro area you go 40 miles south and thats a different MLS U go 40 north thats different you go 40 west to the coast thats different.

    what you will find is Agents that live in these smaller markets may join the big city market so they can put their listings on their local one and the big city one.

    We have a property 90 minutes from us that we own.. and my wifes PDX MLS does not cover it and she does not want to join the other MLS so we will hire and agent on a limit listing capacity to get it on MLS on the local system. there are work arounds.

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  • Joe Jung
    Member since 2021 · 29 posts · 8 votes
    4y
    Quote from @April L.:

    I've been working with an agent for a few months now to buy my first STR property in the North Georgia mountains, but it feels like I'm doing all the work. She has me on an email drip but the criteria stinks and I can't even search for things, so I basically find homes on my own (Zillow or Realtor.com) and she makes appointments. It's exhausting because I have a full time job.

    I just found out that she does NOT pay for the MLS to have access to Blue Ridge, GA, a big area of interest for me.

    My agent says that she can contact agents and still book appointments for properties I send her, but I think I'm missing out on opportunities. I have two properties I really want to see, and after 5 days, she "has not heard from the selling agent."  

    Would she have more success if she had access to the Blue Ridge MLS?

    Should she have a more active role in helping me finding property?

    I hate to give up on her. I mean she has already showed me a handful of properties and spent at least three full days on the weekend driving all over North Georgia, so I'd feel crappy replacing her at this point.


    That's just a terrible agent. As a part-time agent and full-time worker myself, I think it's lazy when an agent just sets you up for an MLS with crappy criteria and does not even vet them. Doesn't sound like she'll represent you well. I have agents who I do all the finding, all the negotiating and they just write the offer and ask them for 25% money back. Though to be fair, that's everyone except one agent I have. May I ask where in GA (other than Blue Ridge) you're looking? I'm looking to expand, including STR and was wondering where you're looking and why these places resonated with you.

    1Reply
  • David M.
    Morris County, NJ · Member since 2020 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    @April L.

    Honestly, I do the same...  There are so many wanna be investors, so many "bad clients," its tough to spend time for each one.  Also, the information is all out there, for on-market properties anyway.  Lastly, what "you" think is a good deal, isn't what I think is a good deal.  Most of the time, even the "serious" investors go "off script."  So, we do seriously go look at these properties, either "off script" or something else.  So, me actually looking and specifically sending properties is a waste of time.  I think "gone" are the days where you need a real estate agent to find you a deal. Perhaps this is bp seems to be set against them. Its understandable since seasoned, veteran investors don't need what the agent has to offer.  Meanwhile, lower volume investors who are working full time now are kinda stuck, or have mismatched expectations.

    Even as an agent I still don't get responses from listing agents.  Between some "less than responsvie agents" (that just how this business is) and its been such a strong seller's market these past couple of years, they just don't get around to answering every request. 

    All that being said, three full days isn't much time at all. At the beginning, i spent 2 years actively searching until I found my agent. "good help is hard to find..." If you are looking on market, you definitely need an agent that has direct access to the necessary MLS, unless you really like the agent, blah blah blah --- but you don't seem to have any attachment to this one. Also, I don't agree that an investor/agent is a necessity. Mine doesn't really understand crap about investing, but I don't need her to evaluate a potential deal. Like I said, that's not what I need an agent for.

    Good luck.

    4Reply
  • Account Closed
    Real Estate Agent · Frankin, TN · Member since 2022 · 10 posts · 6 votes
    4y

    Hi April, sounds like you got an agent who is not meeting your level of motivation to buy or understand what you want. As an agent myself, I focus on finding the properties and communicate it to my investor buyer quickly. Sometimes I will further filter out the MLS listings before I send them to my buyers because I don't want them to waste time looking at properties that I know for sure they won't have an interest to look at. Also, you should talk with your agent and discuss your expectations. Sounds like you are actively looking, I try to further priority my time for my clients has higher motivations to buy, compared to clients that are just casually looking at the moment.

    3Reply
  • April L.
    OP
    Member since 2020 · 28 posts · 65 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Theresa Harris:

    Ultimately you have the most to gain or lose.  Talk to her and ask how you can modify your criteria to find a place.  How many places have you looked at in the last few months with her?  If you've looked at a lot and didn't make any offers, she may think you aren't serious about buying a place.


     I've been working with her for 4 months. When we started, I presented her with a power point of exactly what I'm looking for and I have a Google spreadsheet of properties that I share with her because I'm that nerd.

    I have been pre-approved certified for a loan. I've made one back up offer with earnest money (because someone got to it sooner) and another offer that got out bid. 

    I have driven HER around and have taken HER to lunch to show my appreciation and also to show that I"m serious and so she won't give up on me.  

    Unfortunately, the majority of houses I share with her go pending before she gets around to inquiring or setting up an appointment. 

    2Reply
  • April L.
    OP
    Member since 2020 · 28 posts · 65 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Caroline Gerardo:

    Call Carol Barbour and her  husband, done a few with them. Pay for your agent's gas and kindly say thank you. 


     I have no idea who they are but I assume they are in Blue Ridge and I'll Google them. Lol Thank you.

    1Reply
  • David M.
    Morris County, NJ · Member since 2020 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    @April L.

    How long have the properties been on the market when you share them with her?  Not saying she is the agent for you, but do realize that properties do move in a few days...  Its a crazy market.

    I like the spreadsheet.  I do the same with my clients.  However, you haven't told us much about the agent?  Can she handle spreadsheets?  Is she really handling your level of sophistication?  Its great that you are showing her tons of appreciation, but maybe its still not a good fit.  Really not sure why you are driving her around.  Are you "forcing" this relationship?

    1Reply
  • April L.
    OP
    Member since 2020 · 28 posts · 65 votes
    4y
    Quote from @David M.:

    @April L.

    Honestly, I do the same...  There are so many wanna be investors, so many "bad clients," its tough to spend time for each one.  Also, the information is all out there, for on-market properties anyway.  Lastly, what "you" think is a good deal, isn't what I think is a good deal.  Most of the time, even the "serious" investors go "off script."  So, we do seriously go look at these properties, either "off script" or something else.  So, me actually looking and specifically sending properties is a waste of time.  I think "gone" are the days where you need a real estate agent to find you a deal. Perhaps this is bp seems to be set against them. Its understandable since seasoned, veteran investors don't need what the agent has to offer.  Meanwhile, lower volume investors who are working full time now are kinda stuck, or have mismatched expectations.

    Even as an agent I still don't get responses from listing agents.  Between some "less than responsvie agents" (that just how this business is) and its been such a strong seller's market these past couple of years, they just don't get around to answering every request. 

    All that being said, three full days isn't much time at all. At the beginning, i spent 2 years actively searching until I found my agent. "good help is hard to find..." If you are looking on market, you definitely need an agent that has direct access to the necessary MLS, unless you really like the agent, blah blah blah --- but you don't seem to have any attachment to this one. Also, I don't agree that an investor/agent is a necessity. Mine doesn't really understand crap about investing, but I don't need her to evaluate a potential deal. Like I said, that's not what I need an agent for.

    Good luck.


     Thank you. I agree. I don't need an agent to evaluate a deal -although it would not hurt to have an experienced eye. But I thought an agent would have access to information that I do not have -disclosures, etc. I will talk to her tomorrow. Maybe I can keep her for properties in her area, but I think for this other area, I should work with someone local. 

    Also, I'm sure after doing this a few times, I could get to a point where I did not need an agent, but I'm not comfortable with that yet. Besides, I do not have access to the private MLS and when you use Realtor or Zillow it automatically connects you with a buyer agent anyway. I would have no idea how to get in touch with the seller agent.

    1Reply
  • April L.
    OP
    Member since 2020 · 28 posts · 65 votes
    4y
    Quote from @David M.:

    @April L.

    How long have the properties been on the market when you share them with her?  Not saying she is the agent for you, but do realize that properties do move in a few days...  Its a crazy market.

    I like the spreadsheet.  I do the same with my clients.  However, you haven't told us much about the agent?  Can she handle spreadsheets?  Is she really handling your level of sophistication?  Its great that you are showing her tons of appreciation, but maybe its still not a good fit.  Really not sure why you are driving her around.  Are you "forcing" this relationship?


     LOL. I have a hybrid and she drives a truck. I am definitely more technically inclined than she prefers. Yes, I'm probably forcing this relationship a little only because I'm more motivated than her. 

    I am very aware of how crazy the properties have been moving -though we are experiencing a slow down for vacation homes. I am actively finding and sharing properties within hours of them being posted on public sites. 

    The good news is I must be learning something about market because the ones I pick are usually snatched up quickly -probably by a more seasoned investor. The bad news is I feel like my agent is not acting quickly enough on my behalf. She does not share the same sense of urgency.

    1Reply
  • David M.
    Morris County, NJ · Member since 2020 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    @April L.

    Not sure about that market, but disclosures aren't always uploaded to the MLS. If you contacted the seller's agent directly they will/should tell you. If you don't care to have your own buyer's agent, the listing agent is shown on Zillow, just don't look at the other agent's advertising (ues, I advertise with Zillow and its sucks when people treat you like an 800 service especially since its a waste of my advertising)... Look up the seller's agent info separatly and give them a call.

    For sure, agents are there to broker a deal.  So, while you are busy with your day job and life, they can go request various info.  Lets face it --- yes, you can find and purchase a home all by yourself.  There really aren't any "roadblocks" in our system.  But, the agent is there to faciliate..

    I'm licensed, doing investing full time, but still my agent for the one segment that I was working with her --- food for thought...

    Hope that helps.

    1Reply
  • David M.
    Morris County, NJ · Member since 2020 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    @April L.

    Yeah, maybe its not a good match..  Its fine to be more motivated, just motivate yourself to find another agent  :)

    1Reply
  • Theresa HarrisPro Member
    Member since 2019 · 15k+ posts · 11k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @April L.:
    Quote from @Theresa Harris:

    Ultimately you have the most to gain or lose.  Talk to her and ask how you can modify your criteria to find a place.  How many places have you looked at in the last few months with her?  If you've looked at a lot and didn't make any offers, she may think you aren't serious about buying a place.


     I've been working with her for 4 months. When we started, I presented her with a power point of exactly what I'm looking for and I have a Google spreadsheet of properties that I share with her because I'm that nerd.

    I have been pre-approved certified for a loan. I've made one back up offer with earnest money (because someone got to it sooner) and another offer that got out bid. 

    I have driven HER around and have taken HER to lunch to show my appreciation and also to show that I"m serious and so she won't give up on me.  

    Unfortunately, the majority of houses I share with her go pending before she gets around to inquiring or setting up an appointment. 


     For the houses you share with her that go under contract before she contacts the seller, how much time passes?  Is it the case that they are listed and sold in a day or in a week?  If the former, then it will be harder. If the latter, time to have a talk with her and let her know you can't wait a week in the current market to view a home.

    1Reply
  • David M.
    Morris County, NJ · Member since 2020 · 5k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    @Theresa Harris

    OP said in a reply that she inquires within hours of the listing coming up on a public site...  

    Zillow, Realtor.com, etc. are pretty quick to post. My own listings have shown up immediately after I upload to MLS...

    0Reply
  • Natalie Schanne
    Real Estate Agent · Princeton, NJ · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y

    @April L. - As an investor, I would say that TN-GA Airbnbs got very hot in 2020-2021 and I think more deals are going to hit the MLS after some newbies realize this isn't for them and the projected revenues aren't what they were in 2020-2021 when gas was cheaper and nobody could travel overseas. So now you have a lot of airbnbs hitting the market where there may be local animosity towards that particular house as a STR (they may or may not clearly disclose it to you upfront) and often at tip top prices (far above 2018-2019 prices for equivalent vacation homes). I know cleaning fees have increased and Airbnb is also more challenging in terms of now threatening you with $$$$$ fines if you cancel a reservation for any "avoidable" reason, and also taking the guests side sometimes when they break your stuff like your hot tub (by leaving the lid off) or your air conditioner (by leaving the door open).

    I also want to say that you should be making offers on at least 50% of the houses you go tour as str investments. Write an offer for a price that works for you. Then you will seem serious. If you are just touring and not writing offers, then I think you are not serious. I also would think you are not serious if there’s a discoverable feature about a town or property and you make us drive around for hours and decide you “don’t like the neighborhood” or “it’s not close enough to stuff”. Do your research.

    I also would say that it’s ok to have different agents in different markets within the same state, if disclosed upfront. Like I would use different agents between Knoxville TN and Nashville TN. Anything that’s out of 30-60 mins radius, any agent will be a lot less familiar with. I personally am not an expert in the area right outside NYC like Bergen County or Hudson County. I don’t have a clue block by block values in rent or pricing. But I do in the 30 mins around my house near Princeton Nj.

    3Reply
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