What Makes A Realtor Great For Investors To Work With?

[Matt Lowery]

I'd like to begin transitioning my business as an agent to use my license primarily for investors, rather than residential sales, while I work towards my appraisal license (if I can ever find an appraiser to take me as a trainee) while building financial freedom with a good personal property portfolio. I "get" investors mindsets, goals, we already speak the same language and I like working with informed and motivated people (plus it's just fun work!), I'd like to push up into the Kansas City and Lawrence markets.

I'd like to know directly from investors what makes an agent desirable to them specifically for acquiring investment property, as opposed to the everyday agent you can find wandering the streets.

[Andrew Moore]

Primarily, I think an investor oriented realtor should work on a flat fee instead of proportional commission.  I'm sure no realtor wants to hear this but it's obvious.  Maybe there's some wiggle room, but a lower, flat fee can really help the seller and buyer feel good about a transaction.  I'm looking to sell my duplex in Wichita but I will not tolerate chopping up to $16,000 off my revenue for a 6% realtor's fee.  That is robbery.

I would like a realtor that could visit a property without me and quickly advise how much work must be done and assign a ballpark cost to it.  Does the carpet need replaced?  Whole house or just certain floors/rooms?  Does it need paint, bathroom remodeling, new counters?  How does the foundation and grading look, how long till the roof needs replaced, siding?  It would be nice to get enough info to be able to make a low ball offer or decide if the place is even worth seeing (this all depends on the investor as well).