It’s a real estate agent’s job to represent their vendor to the best of their ability and strive to achieve the best possible sales price for them. 

But the good news for savvy investors is that not all agents see it that way. Agents are really working for themselves after all, and many will ‘manage the expectations’ of their vendors just to secure a quick sale, collect their commission, and move onto the next listing. 

They want to do so with minimal hassle to themselves — and if you’re smart about real estate investing, you can take advantage of this and score yourself a great investment property deal. 

What’s in it for the agent? 

Think about it. Agents work for commission, but it’s usually somewhere between 1% and 3% of the property’s sale price. If they are selling a $300,000 property, they might be looking at a $3,000 commission at best. 

Their vendor might be holding out for $310,000, which could make a big difference to the vendor’s finances. But for the agent? They might only make a few hundred dollars extra — hardly enough to justify weeks of more open homes and buyer negotiations. 

It’s often much easier for the agent to talk their vendors into accepting an offer that’s already on the table. 

Make friends with that agent 

Don’t see the agent as the opposition. It’s much more lucrative to get them on your side. Think about what a lazy agent’s pain points might be, and make a good impression when you first contact them. 

Be the dream buyer. Don’t be the annoying type who needs to see a property 10 times, or has to drag in an army of family members and “former real estate agents” for inspections. 

Instead, present yourself as a genuine buyer serious about purchasing investment property. Clearly identify what you are looking for, your budget, and let them know you are ready to make unconditional deals. 

Have your finance approved in advance and research properties and markets thoroughly so you can act immediately when opportunities arise. Ask to be added to their buyer database. 

These actions will ensure you stay top of mind when suitable properties (including off-market deals) pop up. One of the best ways to secure a bargain is to grab the property before it even hits the market. 

And the best way to do that? Appeal to the lazy agent who wants an easy, fuss-free sale. 

Get knowledge and get help 

Engaging a buyer’s agent is a smart move if you want to tap into years of relationship building and market research without doing it all yourself. 

A good buyer’s agent already has a strong network of real estate contacts and often gets first look at motivated sellers and off-market deals — the kind of deals the general real estate investing public never gets to see. 

They’ll also have a deep understanding of the geographic area and will recognise what constitutes a good real estate investment trust opportunity or whether there are red flags that could impact a property’s future cash flow or growth. 

A great example of this is B.Invested founder Nathan Birch, who has built a portfolio of more than 220 properties across various markets nationwide. Through B.Invested, Nathan has helped thousands of clients build wealth through investing in real estate. 

Nathan’s established relationships with real estate agents mean that when agents need a quick, genuine sale, they often come directly to him. By working with B.Invested, you’ll gain access to expertise, experience, and a steady flow of below-market-value properties that offer strong upside potential and robust rental returns. 

If you’re serious about securing your next investment property, having the right team — and the right strategy — can make all the difference.