Can't find an agent

I feel your pain. I know it sucks at first, but it's worth it once you find one! They are out there somewhere!

Are you calling agents directly? Or are you calling the office and asking the receptionist for the agent that best works with investors?

I'm glad you are sticking to it and not letting them crush your dreams. So good job on that part!!!

You'll find one if you keep trying, I promise!

By the way, back when I was looking for banks, it took me about 95 calls to find the right one for me.

The deals are there! There are investors in the Detroit area who are doing deals, making those profit margins. Remember that only about 3% of the agents out there know and/or understand how to work with investors. The market is changing but the deals are there. Finding an agent who "gets it" can be challenging. Here are some suggestions:

1. Real estate investment clubs: Attend a reic meeting. Investor friendly agents go to these clubs to network and work with investors.

2. Listing agents of Bank-owned, REO, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac homes: Agents that list these types of properties know how to work with Investors.

You definitely need an Investor friendly agent who understands how Investors think and understands your market. Don't get discouraged by what you are hearing from those agents. It's not their fault - they are ones who were not trained to work with Investors and how to find those kinds of deals.

Is there any way to just start finding homes and sellers without an agent a way to get started with BirdDog and find buyer without doing wholesale
if this is possible can some one help I am also in the metro-detroit area and has already fully read through the book and started the 30 day and I have also hit a few bumps in the road so is what I'm asking possible?

Help welcomed
Thanks
Shatina B.

This is a letter I send out to Real Estate Agents, and it has been working for me:

PROFESSIONAL REAL ESTATE INVESTOR LOOKING FOR A KNOWLEDGABLE, ENTHUSIASTIC AND MOTIVATED AGENT TO WORK WITH IN LOCATING PROPERTIES

Hi, my name is _______________ and I am a new investor in the _______________ area. Due to the current economic conditions, I have decided to ramp up my existing operations. I not only represent myself, but I also have several investors in and out of the area that I help find, rehab, rent out, and manage properties. Because of the money backing me, I have set the goal to buy one hundred (100) properties within the next 12 – 18 months. Some of these properties I will buy and hold myself, some of them I will sell to other investors, and some I will buy, fix up and flip for myself.

Regardless of the strategy I use on each property, I need to be very aggressive on the price I pay for the property, especially in the current market. I have not chosen a real estate agent to represent me yet. The agent that I choose cannot be afraid to offend other agents with low offers. The agent I choose also will have to be available at all times. I use several strategies to buy and sell properties quickly including making verbal offers when permitted. I will also look at a lot of properties and buy only a few. So an aggressive work schedule will be required.

The upside for the agent that gets accepted will be lots of commission. We will close on properties every month. I will pull in the agent on For Sale by Owner deals. At times I will write additional commission into the contract when we ramp up to full speed.

All that aside, I am a professional and I expect to work with a professional. I want to make money and I want the agent to make money.
Here is the type of properties I am looking to buy:

• Starter homes
• Single family homes 2–4 bedrooms,
• 1–2 baths at least 1,000 sq. feet.
• No mobile homes at this time
• No home built before 1950
• Properties located in the El Paso, Texas and surrounding areas to start with --- willing to move outward
• If you find it to be profitable enough for both of us
• Prefer to stay within low-crime neighborhoods

If you have properties that fit this description or would like to represent me, please address my initial requests that I have listed and contact me at your earliest convenience so that we may begin working towards our first successful deal. You can reach me at 999-999-9999 or email me at (youremail.com).

Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter. I look forward to working with an agent at the top of his/her game that is not afraid of success!

Regards,
Your Name

Hope this will help you. Have a wonderful day.

Hi, Tiffanie & Shatina!

Finding and interviewing prospective agents is a task in and of itself.
You may have to speak with 200 agents to find 10-20 who understand your investing methodology and who gel with your personality and goals. Only some will be willing and qualified to help you. (Some investors have been in the industry for many years, yet they do not own any real estate investments themselves). Remember there are 1000's of agents to select from in your area. Filter for the ones who are "investor-freindly and savvy.

Use a Lead Sheet for each RE Agent that you will contact. Be kind and honest and professional. Stay clear and centered on the principals behind your investing strategy. Let an agent know you're wanting to find out who THEY are on your first contact. For example, Have they ever worked with investors? If so, in what capacity? Are they a listing agent or just one who shops the MLS? Do they understand an investor's perspective? Do they go out and get new listings? Are they kind and confident? (Do not deal with agents who are rude, make you feel "stupid" or like you're some kind of a "quack.") Are they willing to back your aggressive offers? Etc...

Do not overwhelm yourself. Break down your agent contact list (realtor.com, kw.com remax.com). Then carve out a half hour to an hour's time each day and call 5-10 agents every day for a week (Mon-Fri.). Keep your conversation short (3-5 minutes, on point). Tell them what you're wanting and get on to your next call. You won't build credibility w/an agent by ONE lengthy drawn out conversation. Plant your seed and move on. Go on to your next call, working through your list. You can follow up later on with a 2nd and 3rd contact (call or email) to raise your credibility as most agents only hear from people ONCE. When the hour is up, move onto your next task of the day. Beware of your time management. Make some more calls the following day. Repeat the process again next week. (The cream will rise to the top!)

FYI: Check out "Real Estate Forums"...there's a ton of instructions on how to interview REAs! Utilize the archived info. here on DG.com in unison with any of Dean's book(s). Everything you need to know is right here! EXPLORE the different topics.
Concentrate on one subject till it clicks with you! And, then take the initiative by TAKING ACTION! Do not fear making mistakes, it's part of the learning curve!

I tried the same letter where I live to no avail. Funny now, that I basically found an agent in the same office, but by contacting them directly. The letter didn't work. I previously had called many agents to no avail. Finding an agent is a challenge, but now I have several that I am finding are willing to work with investors. One of them has really jumped on board and we are off! Just keep trying is by best advice and try different things. Ellsworth, the official coach, had some great ideas! Networking is key.

I am so glad that you are determined. You sound like you have a successful mentality. Keep that and you'll make it big! Finding a real estate agent was one of the most difficult tasks but one of the most crucial. There are DG members crushing it in the Detroit area. You can too. It can be a long process but don't give up! Don't compromise. All of the calls were not in vain. It is just as important to know who you don't want to work! You may want to try asking office receptionists if they have a newer agent. Newer agents can be more ambitious and malleable. You will have to teach them what you want, but could be worth it. Keep us updated on your success.

Thanks for all the help DG Family.

I talked to three so far, then I didn't hear from them......I even e-mailed them,and made it clear what type of properties I am looking for, and still received no response......I will keep trying......not sure I need one though......there is a gentleman on this site.....his name is Michael.....who said he did his first eight or nine deals without an agent....I agree with him.....this can be done without an agent....Sounds like the DG family has the edge.....

Regards,
Sharon

This is my second day since the 3Day training class. I think I have already messed up one bridge with an agent not understanding the industry. This letter is the type of letter I would love to use.

Will it be ok if I were to dupe it.

If you're marketing to UNlisted Sellers or FSBOs you won't, you don't, need a real estate agent for the transaction to take place. It's all about YOUR negotiating skills and techniques directly with the seller. The purchase agreement is a simple contract. Keep it simple...or you can have a real estate attorney review your contracts, if it makes you more comfortable.