Real Estate agent's time

[Joshua Wilson]

Hey BP! 

I'm tearing my way into the industry, and at the recommendation of the community and my gut, I'm working with a great real estate agent.  I'm realizing however that leading up to purchasing a rental or flip I'm going to be asking for a lot of my RE agent's time.  At face value I understand this is how they make their money, but I have to ask the community some questions.

As a real estate agent, where do you draw the line on "too much time" and how do you handle it? 

What can I do as a buyer to limit wasted time on your part?

Thanks!

[Max Gradowitz]

It isn't about "too much time" for me, so much as it's about seriousness.  I think most buyers agents are this way because we only get paid if a transaction closes.  So spending a lot of time working for someone is not a big deal if I know that they will eventually perform.  But if I think someone is going to waste my time by having me show them 50 empty homes with no AC running in the 100+ degree Bakersfield heat only to end up not making any offers, only then I will draw the line.

However, if I know a person is serious (they are prequalified already, they are eager to compare properties and submit offers, I believe they will actually perform and not waste my time, etc) then I'll sweat through my nice suit all day showing them houses!  Bring on the sweat!

To not waste an agent's time, that's simple.  1) be prequalified before looking at properties or making offers and 2) actually tell the agent you are serious about finding a property (and actually mean it).  That's it.