Can a Real Estate Agent Also Be an Investor? Pros and Cons for Your Deal Team
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June 4, 2025

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When you’re building your real estate investing team, one big question often comes up:

Should your real estate agent also be a real estate investor?

The answer? It depends. There are major upsides—and some important downsides—to working with an agent who also plays the game.

Let’s break it down.

Pros: Why Investor-Agents Can Be a Huge Asset

1. They Speak Your Language

Investor-agents understand terms like:

  • Cap rate, NOI, cash-on-cash return
  • BRRRR strategy
  • DSCR loan qualifications

They won’t blink when you ask about ROI or value-add potential.

2. They Understand Deal Flow and Timing

Because they’re investors themselves, they know:

  • How fast good deals move
  • What makes a property financeable with creative lenders
  • How to evaluate a rental or flip in seconds

3. They Can Bring Off-Market Opportunities

Many investor-agents:

  • Belong to local wholesaler and investor groups
  • Source deals themselves
  • Know contractors, lenders, and property managers

They often bring deal flow beyond what’s on the MLS.

4. They Know the Local Numbers

An agent-investor knows:

  • Which neighborhoods are appreciating
  • Where to find solid rent-to-price ratios
  • What rehab costs look like for different scopes of work

They’ve lived the experience—and that helps them guide you better.

Find Your Ideal Investment Agent

  • Connect with agents who are also investors​
  • Get matched with local market experts
  • Tailored support for strategies like BRRRR, house hacking, and flips​
  • Leverage insights from a community of 3M+ investors

Cons: Watch for Conflicts of Interest

1. Competing for the Same Deals

If your agent is actively investing in your market, there could be:

  • Competition: They might buy deals before showing them to you
  • Prioritization: Their personal portfolio may come first

Ask how they handle lead flow to avoid surprises.

2. Dual Roles Can Blur Boundaries

They might:

  • Push properties they’re selling themselves
  • Downplay negatives on deals they sourced
  • Be less objective in analysis

You want a professional—not just a hustler.

3. Time Constraints

If your agent is:

  • Actively flipping houses
  • Managing tenants
  • Running multiple investments

…they might not be as available as a full-time agent.

What to Ask Before You Hire an Agent-Investor

  • “How do you manage potential conflicts when you want to buy the same deals I do?”
  • “Do you ever buy off-market properties before offering them to clients?”
  • “How do you separate your investing activity from your fiduciary duties to clients?”

The best investor-agents have clear boundaries and fair practices in place.


Bottom Line: It’s About Alignment

A real estate agent who also invests can be a huge advantage—if they’re ethical, transparent, and truly committed to your success.


Want to Work With an Agent Who Knows the Game—And Plays It Fairly?

We’ll match you with investor-savvy real estate agents who understand deals, strategy, and investor goals—without competing against you.

👉 Find a real estate agent who understands investors


Read Next:

Find Your Ideal Investment Agent

  • Connect with agents who are also investors​
  • Get matched with local market experts
  • Tailored support for strategies like BRRRR, house hacking, and flips​
  • Leverage insights from a community of 3M+ investors

Our advise is based on experience in the mortgage industry and we are dedicated to helping you achieve your goal of owning a home. We may receive compensation from partner banks when you view mortgage rates listed on our website.

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