Opinions on realtor loyalty or working with several agents

[Nathan Hayes]

Hi folks!

I did a search on this subject and it looks like posts are generally from a couple years (or more) back.  I know how quickly markets and thought processes change and wondered about current opinions.

Is it generally a better plan, and accepted practice to work with and receive leads from multiple realtors that are investor friendly, or try to focus on building a single, solid long term relationship?

I can see how it could be a benefit to have contacts in multiple offices around the Denver Metro area sending possible houses, but also that the quality of those leads could be reduced by not having a strong relationship.  Also, having watched a parent spend decades as a real estate agent, I know how fickle some of those relationships could turn out to be.

It would make sense to me to have an agreement in place that any property I buy and rehab would be sold by the same agent.

What have you found to work best as investors?  Are good, investor friendly realtors really understanding that you might work with several agents, just as a smart realtor would probably want to work with several investors?

Thanks for your thoughts!

[Russell Brazil]

The answer depends on your experience level. 

Are you flipping 20 houses a year? Then you need to source your deals from a wider array of sources. Multiple agents, multiple wholesalers, direct mail etc.

If you have never flipped, or you are doing just a couple a year, then you will be better off using one agent. If you have no track record, and you are trying to use multiple agents, any good one simply wouldnt waste their time with you.