If you’re looking to invest in real estate, one of the first things you’ll need to do is hire a  real estate agent.



But buying or selling an investment property is VERY different from buying or selling  your own home, so it stands to reason that the personal qualities, experience and wrap around services and support you’ll need from your agent will be different too. 



Here’s what we think is important:


 

1. Agents who help investors aren’t afraid of the numbers.

 

Whether that’s helping you understand and calculate potential ROI, cash flow or  cap rates, it’s critical that your agent is able to see properties through a financial  lens. 


Real estate agents spend much of their time helping their residential clients  assess properties from a lifestyle and affordability perspective, but to  successfully build a real estate portfolio – even if it’s just a second property – you’ll need someone who can guide you through the financials.


 

2. They’ll tell you the truth and help you focus on what’s important.  

 

It can be hard for new real estate investors to focus on the right things – it’s so  easy to get distracted by a sexy kitchen or bathroom, which were very relevant  when you bought the home you live in.


A good investor real estate agent won’t be afraid to tell you when you need  to refocus and can be the unemotional voice of reason if you accidentally fall in  love with the wrong property.  

3. The best investor real estate agents understand your investment options and  their respective benefits and drawbacks.

There are so many ways to invest in properties in The GTA: you can buy pre construction condos, you can flip houses, you can be a condo landlord, you can  buy an income property house, you can buy a mixed-use residential/commercial  property, you can buy a property for short-term rentals.  

Understanding the risks and work required of each is critical to making the right  decision. 


 

4. They’ve helped other investors and understand their unique goals and priorities.

Yes, experience matters. You don’t want your real estate agent learning the ins  and outs of investing while you’re making a huge financial decision.


Hire someone who has successfully helped other investors like you and has the  support of a team of pros.


Bonus if they’ve owned an investment opportunity themselves.


 

5. Real estate agents who understand investment properties can connect you to the  right financing and taxation specialists to set you up for success.

Agents aren’t accountants or mortgage brokers, but the right ones can connect  you with the professionals who can make sure you’re set up for success.


 

6. They are actively working in the market where you want to invest.

The GTA real estate market moves fast, so make sure that you hire someone  who is living and breathing it every day.


If you’re looking to invest outside of the city, hire someone local.


Your GTA agent should not be the person who helps you buy an investment  property in Hamilton or Prince Edward County. And vice versa.


 

7. They can help you identify and analyze great investment opportunities.

The right agent for an investor is obsessed with finding great opportunities – they  aren’t just waiting for you to bring them properties.


 

8. They can spot trends before it’s too late.

It was a great time to invest in a short term rental in Toronto in 2012; it was a  great time to buy a pre-construction condo in 2015.


Where are the opportunities for investors right now? What’s next?

 

9. They can help you understand your obligations as a Landlord and answer  ongoing questions while you own the home.

Being a landlord is a J-O-B and it’s important that you understand how to do it  successfully.


Great investor agents can show you the way.


 

10.They can help you find a tenant and/or a property manager

If you’re new to investing in real estate, you’ll want all the help you can get.  Great agents will provide wraparound services or have partners that can help.


Pro Tip: The real estate agent who helped you buy the home you live in may or  may not be the right real estate agent to help you become a real estate investor.




If you or anyone you know is thinking of investing in real estate and would like to find out more about this important topic, give me a call or pass on my number ... 905-683-7800 (Office) or 905-426-7484 (Direct).




 

Thanks for reading today’s BLOG!!!

Brian Kondo
Sales Representative / Team Leader
The Brian Kondo Real Estate Team
Re/Max Hallmark First Group Realty Ltd.
905-683-7800 office
905-426-7484 direct
brian@briankondo.com
www.BrianKondo.com
www.BrianKondoTeam.com

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