Trying to find a good agent

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Trying to find a good agent

Seth Dillon
Conroe, TX · Member since 2015 · 7 posts · 2 votes

Good day! So I recently signed up a few weeks back and have just been learning as much as I can (I read the Ultimate Beginners Guide and all of the free how-to guides and am thinking on getting one of the books soon). So, moving forward I want to flip a few houses then do a buy and hold for a steady passive income and repeat the process until I can retire in a few years. As I am new to this I know that I could scout HAR, Tulia, Zillow, etc. to try and find what I think might be a good deal, but I would feel more comfortable having a real estate agent there to help find and let me know what the good deals are. Now, my question, how can I be sure the real estate agent I find is good or are willing to work with a new investor? Are there certain things I should look for or certain questions I need to ask? Thanks!

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Colin SmithBusiness Member
Realtor · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2013 · 988 posts · 447 votes
11y

To find a good investor friendly agent is hard to find but here are some things to look for.

1. Make sure the agent also invests in real estate in a manner how you intend to invest. Meaning if you want to flip houses, find one that also flips houses.

2. They should have connections already with lenders, contractors, and title companies. If they don't, then they probably haven't successfully invested in real estate or at least not well enough to maintain those relationships.

3. Make sure to call the agent. They should be calling you back the same day or the morning after. If they aren't, you should consider looking elsewhere. 

4. Find an agent who will guide you through the process and help you find a good deal, not just any property. If you're flipping the property, you should expect to use them on the buying side and on the listing side. The agent should be able to guide you in the ARV (guide with possibly an ARV range and not an actual flat number, that is your decision to make). The agent should be able to sell your property for something close to their guided ARV.

Please know that it may take a while to find a good agent like this, but they do exist as this is exactly how I run my business as an agent.

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  • Colin SmithBusiness Member
    Realtor · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2013 · 988 posts · 447 votes
    11y

    To find a good investor friendly agent is hard to find but here are some things to look for.

    1. Make sure the agent also invests in real estate in a manner how you intend to invest. Meaning if you want to flip houses, find one that also flips houses.

    2. They should have connections already with lenders, contractors, and title companies. If they don't, then they probably haven't successfully invested in real estate or at least not well enough to maintain those relationships.

    3. Make sure to call the agent. They should be calling you back the same day or the morning after. If they aren't, you should consider looking elsewhere. 

    4. Find an agent who will guide you through the process and help you find a good deal, not just any property. If you're flipping the property, you should expect to use them on the buying side and on the listing side. The agent should be able to guide you in the ARV (guide with possibly an ARV range and not an actual flat number, that is your decision to make). The agent should be able to sell your property for something close to their guided ARV.

    Please know that it may take a while to find a good agent like this, but they do exist as this is exactly how I run my business as an agent.

    1Reply
  • Seth Dillon
    OP
    Conroe, TX · Member since 2015 · 7 posts · 2 votes
    11y

    Thanks for the advise!

    0Reply
  • James Wise
    Real Estate Broker · Cleveland Dayton Cincinnati Toledo Columbus & Akron, OH · Member since 2013 · 30k+ posts · 20k+ votes
    11y

    Bigger Pockets is a great place to start.

    The majority of agents on this site are investors themselves or at the very least interested in working with investors.

    0Reply
  • Andrew Davis
    Investor · Asheville, NC · Member since 2011 · 833 posts · 499 votes
    11y

    @Seth Dillon, welcome to BP and the wide world of investing!

    @Colin Smith makes some great points.  They should be actively investing themselves, and know what a good deal is.  I went through several agents who were clueless.  Beyond that, they should have the qualities you look for in any professional, communicative, punctual, professional, knowledgeable, all that good stuff.

    @James Wise is correct!  Most on here are actively investing themselves, and at the bare minimum have a good understanding of what makes a good investment.

    It sounds like you've already got a great start here on the site, here are a few more tips for you to get the most out of BP:

    Start here. You'll get a wealth of REI knowledge and learn how to take full advantage of Bigger Pockets (including how to connect with other Conroe area investors).

    Listen to the podcasts , get active on the forums & set up key word alerts to be notified when people are discussing topics you're interested in. 

    I wish you all the best Seth!  I'm an active investor & agent, so feel free to reach out anytime I can be of assistance to you.

    1Reply
  • John T.
    Rental Property Investor · Central U. S. A. · Member since 2013 · 296 posts · 149 votes
    11y

    @Seth Dillon  I am a real estate investor in the Conroe area.  If you like, you may send me a PM and I will refer you to my real estate agent and property manager. 

    0Reply
  • Kizzy Brooks
    Investor · Conroe, TX · Member since 2013 · 30 posts · 8 votes
    11y

    Hey @Seth Dillon

    I can send you the info for the agent I use. He is awesome!!!  We just put in an offer on a 35k investment property in the Conroe area last Friday and the bank is reviewing all offers today.  He has been very instrumental in helping me to acquire my first properties as I am a fairly new investor as well!!!

    0Reply
  • Eric Thomson
    Real Estate Broker · Conroe, TX · Member since 2012 · 165 posts · 46 votes
    11y

    Just sent you a PM

    0Reply
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