Finding A Real Estate Agent

[Max Pickus]

Hi All,

I have been on the Bigger Pockets site for a few months now.  Quietly watching, reading, and listening - however, I am still not extremely comfortable.  My name is Max and I am from the Denver, CO area.  A recent grad of Colorado State University - I now work in the financial industry.  I am extremely interested in becoming involved with real estate and hopefully growing it into something special.

I am interested in purchasing a multi-family for my first home and real estate investment.  When is the right time to find a real estate agent?  Furthermore, how do I find one that I want to work with/that is good at their job/ec?

Input on this topic would be greatly appreciated.  I have read a lot about people freezing up and never making the plunge to actually become an active real estate investor and I am determined to not let that be me.

[Jean Bolger]

Originally posted by @Max Pickus:

Hi All,

I have been on the Bigger Pockets site for a few months now. Quietly watching, reading, and listening - however, I am still not extremely comfortable. My name is Max and I am from the Denver, CO area. A recent grad of Colorado State University - I now work in the financial industry. I am extremely interested in becoming involved with real estate and hopefully growing it into something special.

I am interested in purchasing a multi-family for my first home and real estate investment. When is the right time to find a real estate agent? Furthermore, how do I find one that I want to work with/that is good at their job/ec?

Input on this topic would be greatly appreciated. I have read a lot about people freezing up and never making the plunge to actually become an active real estate investor and I am determined to not let that be me.

You're actually smart to be "not extremely comfortable". It's a big decision, and there really aren't tons of agents who are also investors. It's unfortunate but true that some agents just want to talk you into a sale, although I really do think that's the minority; most are at least well intentioned. As @Dan Mackin said, you just need to interview people and find someone on your wavelength. Disclosure: Dan and I both are brokers and work with the same brokerage, which does focus on investment... just saying :)

You absolutely want to keep educating yourself on REI, so you'll know if someone is trying to snow you. With some basic understanding of investment principles you should be able to discern over the course of a cup of coffee or a beer whether an agent is on the same page as you and has helpful information to share. Talk to several. Just call or email and ask for a meeting. No agent with any sense expects every consultation to turn into a client, so don't feel bad that you may be wasting someone's time.

You should come by the Denver BP meetup sometime - there are plenty of folks there who are also just getting started, as well as many experienced investors.