All Forum Posts by: Martha Nowlan

Hey @Account Closed. As a Realtor, I can say there are plenty of bad ones out there. That said, our job is different in 2018 than it was in 1998. There is so much information that's out there that really our job is NOT to identify the properties. Our job is to help you narrow your search, set up realistic expectations, and then advise and negotiate. And yes, to bring market knowledge. I think there are some unrealistic expectations on your part, but also some laziness by these agents. Yes, they are going to wait for you to say you are interested in a property. They know you are looking at their alerts every day! It sounds like they didn't do a great job of helping you narrow in your focus and they didn't set up the right expectations. Anyone who is used to working with investors would NOT want to set up a ton of showings and do a comp analysis for each. Why? Because as an investor, you should be able to see some quick numbers and get a sense if you'll like it. Seeing the house is emotional, so that should be the last step, after making sure the numbers work, if you are truly doing it for the numbers. Make sense? That's how they could have explained it, instead of whining about the time they would spend doing the comp.

If you get a fresh start, my biggest piece of advice would be to think of the Realtor as a resource for market knowledge and negotiation, and ask them to be blunt with you about whether or not the numbers look good on something. They should also be able to tell you if you can get a deal on something or if they think the price will be firm. Then you won't waste YOUR time (and theirs) looking at properties that don't fit your criteria.

Good luck!!

Nice! There was just another thread about Huntsville and I did some research and found a great agent to refer out. I'll shoot you a message!

@Wayne Brooks not sure what I said to contradict your point? I said you can't pay for leads from anyone unlicensed.

In Vermont you cannot pay anyone unlicensed for a lead. I think that's everywhere, and probably in the Realtor code of ethics somewhere. You can't pay the mailman for a referral. You can certainly set up your own system for thanking them... send them a thank you card with a gift card or something. Do something to encourage and reward the behavior of referring, but you can't directly pay them for leads.

With licensed agents, the way it usually works in Vermont and everywhere as far as I've experienced is you agree on a referral fee of a percentage of the commission once it closes. 25% is pretty typical in my experience for a qualified lead. But that's only if it closes.

Hope that helps!

@Account Closed pick up a copy of the millionaire real estate agent today and you'll know the answer is yes, listings are your key to success. refer out the buyer leads you get from it

@Richard Tavetian I'm an agent and have helped with referrals for investors on BP. That's honestly the best way. if you know agents like me are on here and we can help you screen agents to find a good one, that's your best bet. let me know how i can help

@Phil Capron I sent you a PM. Happy to personally connect you to the head honcho at https://www.thewrightchoicerichmondrealty.com/

@Richard S. by the way I live in Vermont but grew up in Rockville, MD!

@Richard S. are you already part of a brokerage? You will have to join a brokerage. Keller Williams will have cloud brokerages soon which could have a great opportunity for something like that outside of joining an actual market center. Happy to connect more on it if shoot me a PM

@Garry Hoffmann sorry no one responded! Ah! I have had good experience working with Jay Vallieres at Movement Mortgage. Very involved in the process and accessible and knowledgeable! I'll DM you more info