Expectations of a Realtor

[Joe W.]

I'm looking to get started in real estate by purchasing a 2-4 unit (ideally 4) through FHA financing.

I looked online and found a few properties that peaked my interest and I reached out to a Realtor who had a few multi-family homes listed. I left a voicemail and she called me back a few hours later but unfortunately she caught me at a bad time (it was Christmas Eve) and I asked her if she could call me back on Monday. I've never heard back from her and this makes me irate. I don't understand this at all. I'm talking about buying a $400k property in which she would likely make $12k-$24k (3% to 6%) and she can't call me back?!

After this experience I reached out to a family members friend who is a Realtor. The only thing she's done is send me emails with MLS listings.

FHA Financing on 3-4 unit properties is a bit tricky and I can't qualify for every property available as there are a number of 'catches' with it. The biggest catch (in a nutshell) is that the rents have to cover 100% of the mortgage payment after subtracting a 25% vacancy factor. I've explained this to the Realtor and she just continues to send me every friggin listing on the MLS... often times 5+ unit properties which I can't even qualify for or $600k properties that generate $2k a month in rental income (which would not even come close to covering the mortgage payment).

The MLS at least from what she is giving me access to is largely garbage in that it's largely the same information that is available on Realtor.com.

I'm looking for a Realtor who will do some of the leg work... filter the properties that I might actually qualify for. 

I don't believe this to be unreasonable when I'm going to put $10k+ in this persons pocket but maybe I'm off base and a Realtor is basically a guy or a gal who puts you on an autoresponder list that sends you garbage until you buy something.

Am I off base here or are there Realtors who actually give a damn?

[Joe Bertolino]

The RE agent with the listings is going to sell those properties and make those commissions either way... they don't care if they sell it to you or somebody else. They would probably prefer to sell it to a cash buyer so it closes faster. You are coming from the angle that you are doing them a favor and they should cater to everyone that leaves them a voicemail. That may not be how they see things. I am not sure how the market is where you are but in my market you have to be an aggressive buyer. When your offer is weak (FHA on a 4 plex) you need to be aggressive, thick skinned and persistent.