My boomer+ tired and retiring landlords that have self-managed forever don't do realtors or like paying taxes, either.I buy from them seller-financed with a note and deed of trust.

The banks saw me as a serious buyer and not just a tire kicker. 

Probably not but then again, you aren't looking to help anyone out but yourself, and if the owner is too tired or naïve or distraught to exercise any further effort on saving their home or selling it for money in their pocket, better you get it than someone else right?

It didn't cost me anything but I got tired of the complaints.

I'd love to shift to rentals because I'm tired of getting hammered by income taxes.  

Or bug your CPA but if you are just tire kicking do it in May.

These are people who could be ready to downsize and are tired of doing maintenance and are ready to downsize.

@Julian Pilate-Hutcherson- On behalf of agents everywhere... your average real estate agent's enemy is the "tire kicker" and/or the "newbie". 

Although you might get away without the realtors association.The license renewal cost is about $45 for a year.I was actually an investor like you but got tired of the constant realtor calling to see a property so i got my own license.

As an overall complaint of NH / Boston (I'm also an agent in Boston) right now, the housing stock is just tired, old, and in need of a lot of updating - which is difficult considering pricing and cost of labor, supplies, etc.