Hi all,
How do i find a good realtor to work with??? I have been look at a couple different one's but just don't know. What are your guys tips on finding a good realtor. I talk to one on the phone for several times but when i met him he seemed to think i wasnt serious because im only 25 and a female. With sucked because i really liked him on the phone but after meeting him i just wasnt happy with him. We have atleast 30 comanys in my city. Any suggestions.
Thanks
Kathy
Alaska
Kathy,
Wouldn’t you gain some comfort knowing your agent was also a successful real estate investor. Learn from their experience and mistakes. Draw on their resources. If they’re investing, they are plugged in to rehabbers, management companies, other investors, lenders, etc… If you’re going to be flipping your properties, you may want to take a hard look at the listing side of their biz. This is an area where many drop the ball. How will they market your property? Will they be able to do an auction. (We have a lot of fun with this) Any experienced investor will tell you that it is critical to get in and out of a property as quickly as possible. Some agents understand this better than others. Come to think of it, some investors understand this better than others.
Do you have clearly defined property criteria or are you looking for guidance here? Your agent should be very clear on this.
Best wishes. You’ll do great.
-H
(1) Go to the local REI Club meeting if there is one. There you will probably find some REI connected agents or at least get some referrals.
(2) I interview the agents like a job interview (after all, that’s what it is really – you are hiring them to work for you).
Keith
There are all kinds of Realtors out there. Among them some are teachers, some are mentors, some are booger pickers with a license and some are sharks interested in the bucks.
I personally try to be a mentor. I teach interested clients how to buy houses with no money down. I can afford to do this as real estate is not my primary source of income.
Keith is right. Line em up, check em out and shoot them down. At least try to know what kind of investing you want to do so you’re not all over the road when it comes to type of property and geographic area.
Where I come from 20 something females get some pretty strong mortgage pre-approvals. I consider it part of my job to help them overcome the concerns of first time home buying.
Regards, good luck
Jeff
Don’t find 1 find 30 get on there e-mail list if they find it for you buy it through them! NEVER SIGN a exclusive agent agreement TRUST ME!(HERE IS WHERE WE START THE FIGHT SORRY) Realtors are licensed Bird dogs… looking for buyers and sellers trying to make there commission… Would you want 1 Bird dog or 30. would you want 2 eyes looking for you or 60?
I agree Robb, they are nothing but expensive bird dogs. I’m not trying to degrade any realtors. I work with some here in my hometown and they are GREAT!!!
I would rather have the 60 Robb.
JOhn
Hi Kathy,
If there are people you respect who work with realtors, a recommendation from them would probably be good.
Also, although there is some credibility to the ‘numbers’ game recommended by Robb and John, there is nothing like loyalty to a good agent, for both of you. The hard part, as you have correctly identified, is convincing them that a 25 yo female will be a long term loyal client. That’s where your hard work, honesty, determination and courage come into play.
It will take work on your part to find that right agent, but once you do, they’ll go to the mat for you. Listen to Jeff, he’s got the right idea. Be straight, up front and don’t waste your or their time. Tell them straight out “I’m 25, I’m agressive, I know what I want and can accomplish the mission, will (not can) you work with me?” Something along those lines will weed out the flakes, scare off the less experienced and less knowledgeable, and help you get to a good agent more quickly. I know . . . I started at your age and now . . . many years later . . . have made millions in real estate.
Good luck. Keep me posted.
Cate