RE Agents are slow to (or don't) call back

[Andre' Arceneaux]

I notice that about 70% of the calls/emails (I tend to do both with properties I'm interested in) I send out to RE Agents go unreturned, is this typical?? Should I (what I planned on doing anyway) send mailers to owners so they can see offers for themselves???? Or is another approach (something I may be missing) warranted???

[Chris Mason]

This is speculation, but...

If your voicemail says "Hi I'm a real estate investor interested in 123 Main St and have a few questions," what an experienced/cynical Realtor hears is "Hi, I'd like to waste your sellers time with an unrealistic lowball offer, I'd like you to do all the work on both ends of the transaction, and I'd like to ask you to cut your commission since I'm not working with a Realtor, but will still need all the normal handholding." I'm not saying that I personally agree with that cynical interpretation, it just is what it is.

If you want to present an offer, and don't have a Realtor, write it up in an email outlining your offer and send it. Their code of ethics requires them to present all written offers, unless the seller has specifically said "I don't want to see offers with characteristic X." 

If you legit do have questions that you'd like answered before writing an offer, I'd suggest using a buyer's agent.