Working with RE Agents

[O'brian R.]

Just want to preface this by saying this is my first time working with any real estate agent so I'm wondering if the relationship I have with my agent is typical or not. Additionally, I'm investing from out of state so communication is exclusively through the phone and by email.

For the past 3 weeks I've been working primarily with 1 agent in DFW. Over the phone, my agent is very helpful, full of information, and is never in a hurry to get off the phone. The agent even says that they can check out the properties for me, take pictures since I'm out of state, and even coordinate working with my PM to evaluate possible properties before making an offer. I've been looking into HUD and Homepath properties as well and she's been very informative with both options. All sounds good right?

The problem is that the agent's email communication is terrible. While I get the agent's automated listings by email nearly every day, whenever I respond to them with questions or comments, they're almost always left unanswered. This happened for almost the entire first week where the agent later told me that my emails mistakenly went into the spam folder.

On many occasions, I have sent the agent listings that I've found myself which have potential (i.e. meet $100/month cash flow using 50% rule using achievable rents based on a Property Manager's CMA) and wanted to get her opinion as to the property's actual value and then possibly look at the property. Didn't hear back for about 3 days at which a couple of the listings were already pending a contract by then.

I will say that the agent is pretty good about phone calls and is generally responsive if I try her phone. But given the time zone difference and my full time work schedule, email is often the best and only option at times. Am I being unreasonable here to expect more timeliness with her emails?

Also, if I do decide to look for another agent in the future, is there any etiquette I should be aware of with working with 2 agents?

[Darren Sager]

@O'brian R. Perhaps you should try and see if the agent will accept texts from you with requests since they're attentive with their phone. They may be an experienced agent however still "old school" and not very email savvy of sorts. Its possible still to this day. The most important thing it seems you've found is a responsive agent who's actually willing to go the extra yard for you so I wouldn't necessarily dismiss them based upon it. I'd have a conversation letting them know what's important to you in communication and see if there's a good middle ground that you both can agree to that you'll be happy with.

And as for working with more than one agent at a time some larger metropolitan areas demand that you must unless the agent has a team that covers multiple areas. The most important thing to do is respect the agent's time as much as you respect your own. Don't have multiple agents working the same territory. Pick one, stick with them unless they're not delivering the level of service that you both agree to. Always be upfront and say it like it is.