How I finally found my Real Estate agent

Great job! It doesn't hurt to have backup agents in your corner, though. What section did you put this in on CL? Jobs wanted ~ Real Estate or ?

T_T I am so happy to heard that, we got Dump by two Realtor in the same day, one of them email me and also call me screen at then hang up. Still recovering......but we will see if we did the number wrong or something or they just no open minded. I am glad for Kerry and David. have faith you will win the war.

@Thishousebuyer: Thanks, I put it under the jobs > Real Estate Jobs

@LindDustin: That's crazy, I hope it was just a misunderstanding. Give this method a try, it worked great for me. When your talking to them be confident but respectful. Remember that you are bringing them business, they need you as much as you need them. Good luck!

We had the same issue in finding a realtor. Our solution was similar, but maybe a little more close to home. We found an REI portal on MEETUP for the city we are working in. After Joining we posted looking for a realtor much the same way you did on CL. It was amazing how fast we actually got responses, from not just one, but several good investor friendly realtors.

And it would stand to reason that if you are inside an REI club portal, that any realtor you come across has good potential for being an investor friendly realtor.

Good luck in your RE ventures

That is a wonderful technique! I am going to bookmark this.

When I started out, I sent about 200 letters to realtors and got almost no response. Then I tried HomeGain. This time, some response, but when I interviewed them, it was a bust.

I have actually found two excellent realtors by going to open houses. Often, the newer realtors are manning those and they are more open to being trained. They haven't developed the "know it all" attitude yet.

But in case these don't work out, I will keep this idea. I like it very much!

Karen

I think I will give it a try when I need it again. Right now I am okay, but I had even sent letters or email forms to realtors, but no response from them. They were good too the point letters, but perhaps too long. Short and sweet and as an advertisement!

I'm going to try it now!!

What a great approach to getting an agent! Instead of searching them out, you've got them coming to you & with the right mindset. It sure beats cold calling (especially when it's not your strong suit).

This is brilliant. I have been having the exact same problem. Ill try this out and let you know. THANK YOU.

I am going to bookmark this. That was such a great idea...Way to go!

David and Kerry,

thank you for sharing your tip! great idea!

I found one of my agents at work; there seem to be plenty of agents who have a full-time job and do real estate on the side; and since they don't have much time to get listings or build up their clientele, they don't mind working with investors, or putting in many offers! As Karen says, especially newly licensed realtors-they are so eager to put in the offers!!!

Wishing everyone success,

I got a PM from a nice couple asking me what I said when I interviewed my agent. I thought it might be a question others had so I copied and pasted my whole reply to them.
When I went to interview my Realtor, Cindy, I was very open about what I was going to do. Before I met with her I went over the section in Dean's book "Profit from RE" on finding the perfect agent. It gave me some idea as far as what to ask. First I asked her about her experience in Real Estate and just listened. Just from that I found out a lot about what kind of person she was. I also asked what it was that made her decide to answer my ad. Before I told her about what I wanted to do, I told her some of what I had done. I told her about how I had an LLC, set up funding, and a strong buyers list. If your just starting out you can say how your part of an investment club. How you have other investors helping to guide you, basically just showing that your serious about your business. I am starting out with Matt's 25:1 strategy, so I told her that I'm following a method that other investors are making a killing with. I've seen it work for them and I want to try it out. This is what I want to do... I laid it out for her and she was on board. I feel we got really lucky with her, but their are plenty of others like her that understand working with investors is where the money is. I hope this helps and good luck.

I could sure use that one.
I found a few agents that said they would work with me but I seem to scare them off. LOL

Thanks David & Kerry

Stan & Lynn

I will definitely use your ad on craigslist, however, my question is since I don't have my LLC yet, will the agents likely not take me serious?

Thank you
O.

Hi Denaro,
I'm sure they will take you seriously, if that's how you present yourself. I told her about my LLC because it's something I had done. If you don't have one don't even mention it, instead talk a little about the investors you have lined up or the investment club you joined. As long as it's true, I wouldn't make something up just to impress. If it suites you better don't even tell him or her what you've done, just focus on what you want to do. That agent answered your ad for a reason, if they thought you were a waste of time they wouldn't have. Remember it's your business, be respectful but confident and know what you want to accomplish before you meet them. That way if the conversation moves away from your goals to something the agent thinks is better you can notice and make a "polite" course correction. If they don't like it ...interviews over. They need us right now as much as we need them.

I don't know if this has happened to anyone else, but one of the agents I talked to before trying the ad seemed like he was "investor friendly". I got to the office which had an open floor plan, we were fine until another agent who's desk was in earshot made the comment about wholesaling,"not in this market buddy". I said I knew of people doing it in NY, he did a little eye roll thing that he thought I didn't see. After that the agent was different. He didn't want to show me the properties I wanted to see because he didn't want to waste "my time". He kept looking over at the other guy for approval, it was ridiculous! I left and never went back. The point of this is that sometimes the office isn't the best place to do business. When I interviewed my agent I did it over a cup of coffee at one of the local diners. Actually we stayed so long that we ended up getting lunch, I bought (after I decided she was my agent), it was well worth the price. I hope this helps.

I place that ad on craigslist here in SF under housing wanted (because it's free) and got nothing. Then placed it under For sale by owner and got 2 with in a few hours.
This really works!
Gonna call both this morning.

Thanks again,
Stan & Lynn

I had to LOL when I saw that comment... I'm a Realtor in DFW and even tho I've been active for 7 years, I just created my website about a week ago. I've had the domain for a while, but I've been putting it off. I do a lot of free-lance writing too but for some reason I was stuck on the wording for my own site. Then I realized it was cuz I was trying too hard to sound like a Realtor!

In most people's experience, they can be stuffy, and tend to act as if they're doing you a favor. But then there are those of us who just enjoy the excitement of a good deal or making a first time buyers' dream come true. I'm the type who will show up in jeans, a tee shirt and ponytail (hey its Texas, we're talking 100+ degree summers), but I have all my T's crossed and I's dotted. I had an investor drop me a few months ago for some stuffy guy with a big office and minions to do the small stuff for him, but he called last week and said he was having trouble getting a call back from him and could I pull up a listing for him!

It's kind of frustrating that those bad apples make the rest of us look bad, but we are out there! My suggestion? Find your local Association of Realtors office. They're usually named for the county... ex: Collin County Association of Realtors. Go to their webpage, find their number, and give em a call. Ask if/when they have networking meetings/luncheons/banquets. Then show up! You can find Realtors, inspectors, and appraisers all in one place! Also, I'd suggest using an agent from a smaller brokerage. The bigger the office, the busier... and you want people who have the time to focus on you (hungry, right?!). I know Dean says the bigger firms are better cuz they'll probably be better trained, but not every office is run the same way. And since the bigger offices take more of a chunk of the agents commission than the smaller ones, they will usually try to go for bigger $$ sales instead of the bargains.

Sorry to ramble, I hope I said something someone can find useful lol

Monica

dfwpropertyprofessional.com

I agree with this wholeheartedly! When I had initial meetings at the offices, the same types of things would happen. It was a nightmare! I started getting them to meet me also at restaurants or coffee shops and much better results!

We are very happy that you have joined the DG family! And even more thrilled that you are willing to participate by posting. Many people have been here for years and have never posted a single time. That's OK. We love having them, too, and hope they get what they need and are looking for here. But if every one came but nobody posted, well, where would we be?

You will be a wonderful addition! Welcome!

Karen

Thanks Karen! I'm a talker, so expect to see a lot of me lol these forums are amazing... so helpful. I've learned a TON just from reading (almost non-stop) the last 2-3 days.

Monica, you may have said a mouthful, but it was definitely well worth it. I am a fairly new beginner in real estate investing. I began with just any realtor who was willing to show me good listings, but when it came to submitting an offer, they were unwilling unless I showed them were the money was; my financing, which I didn't have. I am again looking for a new agent, and will definitely use the tips you offered. Have you had any investors put in the offer without even mentioning or bringing in the financing right away? This is where I get stuck back to ground zero when working with RE agents.

Realtors that is. Spoke to one for about 20 min. and hit it off right away. Been exchanging emails with the other realtor. Both have done and understand what we're doing, so i sent up 2 interviews for next week.
I wish I thought of this. LOL

Thanks again David and Kerry

Stan & Lynn

Gotta say that I first read this thread a few days after it was created. Didn't post to the thread, but did exchange PM with Monica. Now I'll share my thoughts.

Have been following Dean's advice and methods for finding a RE Agt as outlined in his most recent book, '30 Days to RE Cash'. I have created a list of KW and Remax Agencies in the greater Houston area and begun calling the offices to speak with the Receptionist, asking for the Agt who works with Investors.

I have had some success and some great conversations, but did not find a RE Agt that is a good fit. Some of the KW and/or Remax Agt's didn't even return calls or respond to e-mails. Frustration began to set in. Making many calls, but searching for that proverbial "needle in a haystack" was bringing me done.

Ended up tweaking (uh oh....there I go off plan) Dean's method just a bit and posted an ad on CL wanting to have motivated RE Agts call me, so we could at least have the conversation; no luck. Posted an ad on Trulia.com, and got 2 agents to also post comments, 1 positive and 1 not so much. Finally got a call from an Agt just today as a result of the Trulia.com ad, and low & behold he is from a Remax office!!!

The great thing is that we have probably met before at a number of REI club meetings. He was working with a BIG dog investor in our local market, but he has now moved on to this Remax office. Well, we now have a meeting set to see how we can work together (I'll be following Dean's advice regarding this meeting and discussion to have).

Hopefully this works out; at least having another conversation with a seemingly motivated RE Agt that understands Investors!!! Wish me luck...

--Walter

If it is to be, it us up to me. -unk

on coming.... great info to find a realtor

Very interesting reading. I am placing ads on craigslist although i think i know a realtor who will be perfect anyways. But called on a weekend & havent' gotten reply back as soon as I'd like.

Anyways who knows who might be the best fit.

Kelly

Ok everyone, I just wanted to to let everyone know that I am a licensed agent in the state of Pennsylvania and if you are willing to invest in the area then I am the agent for you. I was in your shoes too, then I just decided to get my license to get past that hump of not finding the right agent.

I work full time selling cars but I am still working at a Real Estate Agent a couple days a week and I have evenings to help as well. PLease let me know everyone!

Sincerely,
John Sallmen III
Northwood Realty Services

I live in Philadelphia Area, I would be interested in your offer. If you are, I would like to know. Right now, I am focusing on Philadelphia Area for now. If you are interested, please let me know. I would be pleased to forward to you, my criteria.

It depends on their motivation, too. If they see you're working hard & they have an idea what investment properties you're going after, you'll know it by their actions. If you have a realtor coming to you daily, telling you about properties they have that will work, they're a keeper.

but i like the method used here better. see my signature for the videos. have a great day all.