Why Do I Need A Real Estate Agent?

[Stephen Witkowski]

Hi everyone!

I’m a new real estate investor. I’ve started to learn more, browse the forums, listen to podcasts, and attend meetups. I keep seeing people seek out and utilize real estate agents, but I’m not sure why.

Simply put, why do I need a real estate agent?

Sorry for the ignorant question, and I don’t mean to offend any agents out there, but I don’t fully understand the role of a real estate agent.

Why should I find a real estate agent when looking to buy an investment property? When should I involve an agent? Do you generally have one agent you work with, or does each property have its own agent?

Thanks for the help!

[David Zheng]

So I'm going to go against the grain here. I used to use agents, but now I don't. I'll work with a selling agent if there is one but taking one middleman out always helps in terms of communication. I think agents are good if 1. you are a noob homebuyer/investor who doesn't have time or doesn't know anything about the buying process. 2. you are a seller who doesn't have time or know the process. 3. trying to invest out of state/or your area of expertise.

Once you familiarize yourself with the process, you can do what an agent does and sometimes better. No more scheduling through them, cutting out costs, miscommunications, etc.

personally, my last 6 deals have been without buying agents. I'll take my 2 page office depot sales contract to the seller, have them sign it, and let the title company do most of my legal legwork. I have my appraiser/inspectors/contractors run through the place and give their reports to my bank and bam. 2 week close.