All Forum Posts by: Aaron Lovett

Hi @Jessica VanderJagt!  As a general rule, I don't mind when my investor clients send me properties to check out for them, no matter how they come across them.  As long as they don't put my name or company on an inquiry letter, there's no harm in them actively seeking a seller.  Also, we have an understanding that I search within the parameters that we've agreed upon, and that I will change those parameters anytime they ask.  So for example, if they tell me their budget is absolutely no more than $275k, I won't show them $350k properties.  But, if they find one and decide it might be an exception to the budget, I'm happy to work on it for them.  That's with me acting as their designated  agent, of course.

So, if someone calls you with interest in selling their property, you can absolutely bring it to her to work through closing.  I think she would be grateful, and you'll get the benefit of her expertise.  You could get even more work out of her by having her actively look for properties for you, as long as she understands your goals. 

I would choose the .5 bath.  The .5 bath will be more expensive to add, but you'll be able to ask more rent, and you'll likely see a better return when you sell it.

My buyer is seeking a duplex, tri-plex, or quad in any up-trending Nashville, TN neighborhood.  Buyer is well-qualified, shopping properties up to $250k, will purchase with a conventional mortgage (so need 30 days to close), and prefers one unit to be vacant.  Condition not a huge issue.  Willing to look at unusual but workable possibilities.

Hi @Erin Wilging, I work with investors and retail clients in the Nashville area.  I'm happy to answer questions and help you in any way.  =) 

Agreed, there are duplexes in Nashville. The market is just so hot that they go very quickly.  

@Mike Greenberg, Tennessee is a long state; which market are you looking in?  

In my area (Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna) the MLS deals are there - but you have to be ready to act very quickly (within 24 hrs). By the time the listing is propagated to Zillow, it's likely already under contract. So, eliminating Zillow (except for FSBO) would be my first "weed out" suggestion. Second would be to get an agent that knows enough to make recommendations to you. I'm not saying you should send the agent recommendations if you run across something, but shouldn't the local agent be the one digging up prospects for you?

Hi @Brad Brosmer, and welcome to BP!  You're definitely in the right place.  Look forward to hearing more about your growing business.

The average person uses the word "investment" very differently from the way an investor does.  For some "invest" is synonymous with "spend money".  So in that sense, yes, plenty of real estate agents and home buyers will say that any home purchase is an "investment".  They usually mean that even if they pay a fair market price for the property, if they live in it for a few years and keep it maintained, they expect to build equity in it. 

However, and to @Russell Brazils question, an "investor friendly" real estate agent needs to understand and serve the goals and strategies of his clients.  I find that different investors have very different formulas for evaluating deals, even when evaluating the same properties for the same purposes.  And of course, there are lots of ways to invest in real estate, even just residential properties.  So, the better I understand the investor's playbook, the better I can work for him.

Some investors need education, information, or insight, but most just need help getting access to properties quickly and an experienced agent who will do the legwork and write the offers.   Ultimately, whether or not I agree with the investor's strategy, I'll either serve them well to help them reach their goals or decline to work with them at all and wish them the best.  I'll be friendly in either case.  ;-) 

@Sam Shueh, compared to Silicon Valley, even the Middle TN area is very affordable.  Check out 440SnowWhite.com for example.  A 6000+ square foot home, 1200 sf guest house, and over 15 acres, all for $659k.  I'll bet I couldn't buy the guest house on a city lot in San Jose for that price!

That depends on your goals, talents, skills, current knowledge base, etc...  You don't necessarily need either to invest in real estate, but to be successful you DO need access to funds and an education in the type of RE investing you want to do, at a minimum.  Give us some more details about your background, goals, and motivations, and I'm sure the good folks at BP will give you our opinions!