Should You Use an Agent When Starting Out?

[Eric Ray]

I'm sure this will get mixed reviews, but I want to see everyone's opinion on this. I am a real estate professional and my company is in the business to assist people, investors, and companies in buying and selling their properties. Even before I got into real estate, I knew to use a professional when I bought my house. It saved me time and money and the best part was I didn't have to pay a dime. As an investor, I feel you should have someone in the real estate profession to help buy properties. A professional has access to properties, contacts in the industry, can help you run the numbers, negotiate, and much more. Every investor my company works with is more than happy to let us take on work that they don't want to mess with. Do you have to use one? Of course not. But why wouldn't you? I will throw out a disclaimer and say that I am referring to working with a professional that has experience and knowledge of working with investors, not your typical residential agent. I'd love to hear from all of you and whether or not you agree or disagree and why.