Duties of a real estate agent

[Paul Mutch]

Please advise. I live in the Boston area and am looking to buy investment properties located about an hour away. I have reached out to a few different agents who have set me with auto generated emails about properties that fit my criteria. Not once has anyone been proactive with me. Since I am an hour from the area and work and have family commitments I cannot just jump in my car and check out properties when one becomes available. In this situation I would think that an agent would be proactive and tour some properties that might fit my criteria and prepare a market analysis and reach out to me with properties I should consider. Am I being unreasonable or do I have unrealistic expectations? I am considering expanding my search to other states but if an agent who knows the area much better than I is just going to put me on their email list I don't see how this will work. Appreciate the feedback from agents and investors who have purchased property in states different from where they live.

[Russell Brazil]

If you arnt willing to look at the properties, then you do not appear to be a serious buyer.  I dont even take on out of the area clients because I know they are just going to waste my time.  You want an agent to take you seriously, do something to make them take you seriously. Look at properties, offer a retainer, etc.