All Forum Posts by: Reggie Maggard

Definitely better to work with an agent, especially one you know and trust. Not to mention, YOU are not the one that pays her commission, the seller pays her. 

I can tell you that she would much rather be given the opportunity to work with you now rather than hear later that you used someone else without talking to her.  I would have an open conversation about it now - discuss purchasing scenarios and make sure that you are on the same page.   As an investor, you can be helpful to her by driving by properties before requesting interior showings - this is a huge service to yourself and her.  Often times the neighborhood, view, lot configuration, etc. makes or breaks your interest in the property right off the bat. 

Do you plan on using her to list your property as a rental?  Is she interested in rental business or just buying/selling?

I would not immediately sign a buyer's agent agreement with her.  My first step would be to ask her to pick out 5 to 10 recent sales(or under contract) houses that would fit your criteria.  If most would match, then you have a good fit.

I would also interview another agent even if you are 95% sure you will use her as your agent.

For the "just looking stage" generally a seller's agent will show a house.

Another option might be to ask if she has other investors who she is showing houses.  Maybe she could show you the houses they are looking at.  I would start off with an investor/properties that are in a different segment, so there isn't an awkward situation where you both want to buy the same property.

All my purchases have been via MLS. Using my realtor has been essentially mandatory to help me get listings, details and showings. She puts in even more time with the purchase agreement, negotiations and seller follow-up. It is certainly worth it to me to use a realtor buying MLS properties.

MLS queries can't take much time for a realtor; I'd think they'd be happy to do it even if you're not too serious. Showings might be a different story.

If you're fully intending to purchase from the realtor then going to lots of showings makes sense.  However, if you're just going to showings to kick tires and never planning to use the realtor then that's probably unethical (after you've seen a few).  Somewhere in the middle, if you're honestly interested in particular properties then having the realtor take you to showings is legitimate.

Ultimately realtors are sales people that want the opportunity to earn your business. 

Do you plan on using her to list your property as a rental?  Is she interested in rental business or just buying/selling?

I would not immediately sign a buyer's agent agreement with her.  My first step would be to ask her to pick out 5 to 10 recent sales(or under contract) houses that would fit your criteria.  If most would match, then you have a good fit.

I would also interview another agent even if you are 95% sure you will use her as your agent.

For the "just looking stage" generally a seller's agent will show a house.

Another option might be to ask if she has other investors who she is showing houses.  Maybe she could show you the houses they are looking at.  I would start off with an investor/properties that are in a different segment, so there isn't an awkward situation where you both want to buy the same property.