How to find a great real estate agent who will bust their a$$ for you!

You want to find and close deals? Your chances of success are exponentially greater if you have a Real Estate Agent. 

WHY?

As a buyer, a real estate agent can be:

• - A second set of experienced eyes
• - A local market expert for value and rent amounts
• - A connection to fantastic lenders
• - A means to get into homes on the MLS
• - A negotiator who has to put your wishes over theirs
• - An expert in the nuanced buying, negotiating and closing process
• - A connection to reliable contractors and other professionals
• - A thoroughly objective and emotionless voice 
• - ABSOLUTELY NO DIRECT COST TO YOU!

The need for and role of real estate agents has changed significantly in the last 5-10 years. No longer do you need them to show you what's on the market. You have instant access to that information at your fingertips. By nature of their day-to-day business however, they often know about possible deals before they hit "the market" (usually defined as their presence on the local Multiple Listing Service or MLS and thus on familiar 3rd party sites and thus already in everybody's inbox!).  

It's a no brainer. If you're serious about real estate investing, you should have a trusted real estate agent. 

HOW DO I FIND A GOOD ONE?

Start with recommendations from your family, friends and colleagues who have done what you want to do. Want a 12-unit in the city? Start with the agent that helped your sister get the good deal on the multi-family downtown! What a single family rental property? Start with the agent who helped your friend negotiate the sweet deal on the 3BR/2BA house on the East Side that gets $1000/month in rent! If you don't have close personal contacts who have done what you want to do, rely on other useful networks like BiggerPockets and local REI meet-up groups. 

If you have the time or are particular:

• - Come up with a few standard questions about your budget, the market, rent amounts and prices.
• - Meet with, call or email a handful of agents your questions and pay attention to A) Their responsiveness and B) The quality of their answers (possibly expressed as: Quality = actionable details/total # of words used. The smaller the number, the better.)

HOW DO I GET THEM TO BUST TAIL FOR ME?

Once you have a real estate agent, consider these principles for greatest team success:

• - Pay attention to the auto listing emails they send you (should be applicable). Make periodic requests to tweak those auto emails. This says that you're engaged and are learning about the market and refining your criteria. 
• - Do your homework! Get as much info on a property as you can before you ask them to dig for data or contact the listing/seller's agent.
• - Know something about and respect your agent's personal life. Every real estate agent will tell you that they'll help you or answer your requests "no matter the time or day". Ask yourself how'd you like it though if your work clients or colleagues were texting you at 6pm on a Friday expecting an immediate response. At the very least, broach the subject with your agent. Let them know that you plan to actively look for properties during your down time away from work and have a real conversation about expectations and boundaries. If you don't do tough conversations, try to stick with business traditional business hours. 
• - Realize that you'll likely have time for due diligence, inspections, reviewing records, pouring over leases and rent roles once you are in contract. Use your educated estimates to determine the price at which the deal makes sense. You may be able to renegotiate price based on what you find (if anything) during due diligence. 
• - Make an offer! Nothing says you're legit like putting your John Hancock on a purchase offer even if it's a low ball. 
• - At least consider the advice and guidance your agent lends. They are, after all, an expert and obligated to have your best interest in mind (re: fiduciary duty).
  

Leverage people you already admire and trust to find great real estate agents. Treat those agents like a valuable part of your team and they can thrust you toward your goals!