Real Estate Agents aren't taking me seriously

[Angela Stevens]

Hello,

My husband and I are starting to invest in RE in Maryland - we live in Toronto, Canada.  I've been in touch with 3 different real estate agents, and none of them are taking me seriously.  The first RE agent didn't call me back.  The second one pretty much insulted me by telling me 'a lot of people watch HGTV and think they can get into RE investing', without even asking about our experience in RE investing.  I had a nice conversation with the 3rd agent: she met my requirements and was very professional, told me that she would send me listings but haven't since our call.  I called her almost 2 weeks later to follow up, left her a VM, and she hasn't called me back yet.

I'm getting frustrated by the lack of professionalism and ambition from some of these real estate agents.  I don't understand how people in a very competitive industry can turn down business - especially when I've discussed what I want to do in the next 6 months and told them I have secured my funding.  Keep in mind, these aren't million dollar listing agents, so not sure why I'm getting snubbed.

What am I doing wrong?  Did anyone else have this problem?  What should I be doing differently?

[Russell Brazil]

Originally posted by @Angela Stevens:

Thanks all!  

I've been telling the RE agents (all have experience working with RE investors) that I want to focus on flipping right now, but I'm worried about the timing considering by the time we find and close a deal, rehab and ready to list, we would be in holiday season - probably the worst time to list a home.  

So I said that to get started (and not waste time), I would buy and hold 1 property (rent out), and then after the holidays, we'll focus on the flipping.

I was very clear that I've been pre-approved for $350k USD, plus I have $200k CAD from HELOC. I also have some other credit and savings, but what I just disclosed are the biggies. I told them I want to purchase 2 properties in 6 months. I've never mentioned anything about low balling, but can understand @Jim K. point, which the RE agents are assuming, and may be why I'm getting snubbed.

I'm guessing I should emphasize my expectations of them, meaning, I don't expect them to be my lackey in my absence (I am building my team myself, and my husband will be onsite during the flips).

 You want to flip long distance. That is a risky proposition. Combine that with the fac that 95% of out of state buyers never close on a property, and thats why no one is taking you seriously. The very few out of state buyers who do close are those who are relocating to the area.