Coincidence or shenanigans or neither?

[Alison Michel]

Hi All,

So, I signed up via Redfin to see a potential investment property that had been on the market for 100+ days, and while we were there we talked with the agent at length about the logistics of renting it out, and all agreed it was a solid investment. We didn't commit but she offered to send comps (which arrived about a week later). But, the day after we visited the house, it went Pending. Coincidence? I'm not sure. Now there's another multiunit property we're interested in, but I can't get specs to even determine how many units, so can't apply the various rules of thumb to see if it's worth pursuing. BUT I'm gunshy about asking an agent to show us another potential investment, for fear of it disappearing. Hmm... a few thoughts:

- If the agent did put a bid on the house (or told a friend who did), I'd guess that is legal, and just part of the game. If that's true, just wondering, how often does that happen?

- Or, it's just coincidence. But this was January when presumably the market is slow (except for investors, I hear?)

- So one answer might be that I need to find a reliable agent to work with in the long term -- but because I'm not sure when I'll be ready to pull the trigger (I've been looking at houses for years), I hate to lead an agent on, and instead have relied on the one-night-stand that is Redfin's "show me this property."

What do you think? Am I overthinking this? Should I just call up a broker and ask for an appointment?

Thanks for your advice!

Alison