once they have a seller, whom they represent - then they market to acquire buyers (customers) for their sellers.investors are customers or principals - they buy and sellfirst time buyers - are people who are buying a home for the first time - customers to buy properties from sellers.just know this - that MOST agents, no matter how much they "help" you - represent the seller, UNLESS, they sign an agreement with you that say they're going to represent you as a Buyers Agent.THIS IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE.even though no real estate agent can keep secrets regarding knowledge about damage to the property itself - they can, even though they're working "with you", not tell you that the house is overpriced, the sellers are divorcing (distressed), the neighbhorhood is full of rentals with key statistical data on the general value of the area, etc

(NOTE: There was a meth lab in a condo building I used to live in and the firemen and DEA guys tore the walls and floor up with axes to find lots of little secrets hiding)

The stats according to a blog by Steve Cook hints that the short sale secret is out.

That's the secret sauce. 

No need to pay anyone.Here is how.I will share with you my secret to SEO.FORGET Google.Focus on your traffic.

The custodian has a bunch of secret rules that only come up when you try to invest your IRA money.  

Cost segregation is still a relatively little known secret.  

Don't buy any secret income stories, like "I really make $XXXX but I only show $XXX because of _______!"

The key is your agent being familiar with the market.There are no secrets, if you are right about her she will likely be your best option.

The ultimate (best kept secret) plan is the Solo Roth 401K.