The value of real estate agent's services

[Lou Palazzo]

What services does a real estate agent provide for an investor?

As a newbie I've been working with a real estate agent who owns apartments and other properties so that I can learn of few things from him. 

Recently, I followed up with a listing on Craigslist and I have an appointment to tour the property next week. I notified my agent and he suggested I call him first next time I find a similar lead. Apart from access to the MLS, what else should I expect from an agent?

[Lori Verni]

If you have a really great Real Estate Agent (as I do), they are worth their weight in gold. For all the reasons @Account Closed stated above, as well as the fact that they may notice things about the property that you don't, often know about listings before they come on the market, may know about other things that are going to be built nearby, etc. Once you've done a few properties with the same agent, they may also lower their fee (especially once they discover that you're easy to work with, etc.), and for me, there is a lot of value in letting them deal with all the other stuff so I can focus on the upcoming renovations/tenant screening/etc, etc, etc.