Is it important for investors to partner with real estate agents?

[Linda May Wacker]

Hi there, I'm brand new - just listening to podcasts and webinars so far.  I'm curious about whether/how investors and agents work together. Some investors seem to find their own deals and just work with realtors when it's time to list if they are flipping properties. I think I am missing something! Can someone describe how they partner with realtors as an investor, and what I should be looking for? Thank you!

[Forrest Williams]

Once I met a guy who was selling his condo for $100,000 - FSBO. I was interested in buying it. He showed me around, pointed at a few spots that needed work. He told me he wanted to avoid using a realtor because he wanted to save 6%. Then he told me he currently had an offer on the condo for $92,000. To save $6,000, he spent $8,000.

Realtors don't let potential buyers know the amount of an offer on the building. I could have offered him 100k for it, but he cut down the price with his own big mouth. That's why you hire a realtor.