What exactly are you looking for in an investor friendly Realtor?

Question

Hi everyone!

I'm an Atlanta based Realtor (with PalmerHouse, an excellent brokerage to do business with!) with years of REI, PM, consulting, and wholesaling experience under my belt. Needless to say, I've seen the other world that most retail agents just haven't been exposed to.

I'm positioning myself as 'the investor's agent' here in Atlanta, and would love some help on exactly what unlicensed investors are wanting out of their agents. Of course, I'm already knowledgeable about the process of finding, acquiring, rehabbing, selling the properties, but all for my own deals. Now it's time to step out of the shadows a bit and grow this side of my business as well.

I've already put a fee policy in place, allowing investors to take advantage of discounted listings and even helping with the project at the very end to ensure a quality product is being put on the market. I'm familiar with the head aches that can sometimes go with an investment purchase, and am definitely sensitive to that. But, what else??

I would love to hear some thoughts and if anyone would have questions of me, feel free to send me a PM!

G.A. Miller · Answer

@Pavel, I'm based out of Acworth. We should definitely speak a little further.

Pavel Redko · Answer

This is a niche that I've been getting more and more involved in, despite being 'new on the block'. My background in commercial construction / engineering as a GC / EC license holder is at my clients' disposal. Being able to evaluate properties with the eye of a GC gives me an advantage when it comes to narrowing down to the top 3-4 opportunities in an investor's area of interest. Communication is key, and every interaction / transaction is treated as a project in and of itself. I'd love to network further - it seems like a very small group of agents specializing in this and it's great to meet others with a shared interest in getting their hands dirty prying plywood off of doors :D

David Dachtera · Answer

@G.A. Miller,

Well, I would expect most investors look for an agent/broker who is comfortable submitting numerous offers well below market.

Naturally, not just low offers for the sake of low offers, rather the offer would be based on the condition of the property and would include justifications (deficiencies in the property detracting from the value).

Juan Jackson · Answer

just recruiting....

G.A. Miller · Answer

@Juan Jackson, not at all, why?

Juan Jackson · Answer

@G.A. Miller Hi, are you considering jumping ship from Palmer House?

G.A. Miller · Answer

Thanks David! I've actually been a member here for a long time. Was even a pro member for a while.

@Jd Martin, this is what I'd been thinking as well. I'm certainly able to analyze a deal from a few different perspectives, having been on all sides of them myself. I think this is a big plus for an investor for a few reasons, especially if I'm working with a newer investor.

My idea is that the biggest incentives will be in the cost savings of discounted listings and what I might call 'light project management' at the end of a project to get it list-ready. I am doing exactly this right now for a West Coast based flipper, having to coordinate with vendors on their behalf and be his local eyes and ears. Of course I'm being compensated for that service on its own, in addition to the cheaper listing.

David Nguyen · Answer

Hi @G.A. Miller Welcome to bigger pockets! Wish you the best of luck.

JD Martin · Answer

The best way my agent helps me is by having specific knowledge about the situation of the sale, and having specific knowledge about the condition and positioning of the property. For example, if my agent knows that it's being sold by an estate, that can help my negotiation stance. If he has been in the property before and knows that it's not going to fit what I'm looking for - and I've worked with the same agent long enough that he knows what I'm looking for - he can save me time and energy by looking at properties that won't pan out.

Outside of that, my agent usually takes care of arranging the minor stuff for me - termite inspections, for example. Sometimes he has leads on services that I don't use often enough to have my own preferred providers. Most of my current properties are insured through a specific agent that he recommended a few years back, that I probably would not have talked to without his info.