Focus on investing or traditional side as newer agent?

[Brian Edge]

Hello - I am new to BP and relatively new to real estate in general.  Just over a year ago, I got my license, quit my corporate job and started down the path of enlightenment :)  I've been told I did pretty well my first year in real estate which was solely focused on traditional side; helping people buy/sell homes and condos.  The last year was also an eye opener to the investing side as I saw countless flips hit my local market, tear downs, listed a couple fixer uppers that sold to investors and saw RE agents buying properties themselves for rental income.  My question is what are the differences between the traditional and the investing side?  From what I've learned on BP and other investing sites both sides rely on lead generation but how different or similar is investing vs the traditional side beyond lead gen?    

I started with KW but left after a year to go into business with my brother-in-law.  He's an attorney first and broker second.  I can take our business somewhat wherever I want it to go and I've been wondering should I switch gears and focus my time and energy on investing instead of traditional?  I would appreciate any other agents sharing their experiences and advice...the good, bad, and ugly on both sides of the fence.

Thank you!

[Russell Brazil]

Working with investors and retail buyers both have their pros and cons.  I think though to work with investors it really helps to be an investor yourself. If you invest yourself, you will have a better concept of what investors are looking for.  Working with an investor requires a great deal more market knowledge than working with a retail client I would say.  I would say about 1/3 of my clients are investors with 2/3 being retail clients.