How do I get Realtors to work with me as a new investor

[Gail W.]

I started this thread to keep from threadjacking another thread that is trending here.

     I am new to this type of real estate investing. Of all the properties I have bought over the years, (a whopping eleven properties) I have only purchased with the help of a real estate agent once. He was great he knew what I wanted found it for me and helped through a difficult closing. That being said, in the past year as I am beginning to try to put together a buy and hold portfolio I have had a different experience. The 3 properties that I have managed to close on I found off market and put the deals together myself.

     I did look at a house that I wanted to offer on where the managing broker of the agency sent me to look at the place by myself, I went directly back to the office and they were already closed I sent her a text and told her I wanted to write an offer. She text me back right away saying she was busy that evening but would call the next day. I waited 4 days then called the listing agent who said he would get in touch with my agent for me. By the time she got back to him the house was under contract.

     Second time I called an agent it was the listing agent who had a house i was very interested in. She tried to talk me out of looking saying it didn't fit for me. I insisted I wanted to see it and she made an appointment for the next evening. I got a call about 2 hours before our appointment saying the house had been sold. I suspect she had another investor she wanted to show it to and I helped the process along.

     Just recently I sent an email to an agent I had talked to before to get a look at a bank owned property. I got no response. So I emailed the listing agent and didn't get a response. Next I called the listing agents office and got to talk to a young hungry agent who has been working diligently to make this deal happen even though she doesn't seem to know much about investing.

I am not bashing real estate agents, I am just trying to get an idea of what I am doing wrong in talking to agents. I realize I am just small time and I have a very short track record, (just buying SFH this past year) but I would think if I am too small for the top producers maybe they could refer me to a newer agent who is trying to get a start too. I would like to hear from some of the top producers who may be able to give me some advice.