The Difference Between A Real Estate Agent and Investor | Sell My House Easy Fast (2024)

Here are the basic differences between a real estate agent and a real estate investor

Real Estate General

Contributor:Mike Burton

While talking about real estate, we usually tend to use a real estate agent and real estate investor interchangeably.

However, there are several points of difference between the two. Though both the terms are used in the concept of real estate as they deal in properties and make money from sales, you must learn about some potential differences between the two in order to gain a better grasp over the real estate markets.

With both the parties utilizing real estate as a means of generating revenue, here are some points of differences that exist between a real estate agent and a real estate investor:

What we'll cover:

  • License
  • Want to avoid paying commissions?
  • Commissions
  • Integrity of the Brand
  • Broker Involvement
  • Get an offer on your house
  • Summary

License

When it comes toobtaining the licensefor making real estate transactions, the real estate agents are required to be licensed.

On the other hand, there is no need for real estate investors to possess any license. For the real estate agents, it is mandatory to hold the license of the particular state in which they will be doing the business.

If you are in the dilemma whether you need a proper real estate license for buying & selling properties, then you must note that you do not need any license unless you are planning to represent someone in the picture of buying or selling properties.

Want to avoid paying commissions?

Contact us today to find out what we can offer.

Commissions

When it comes to earning from any real estate transaction, you must know that both real estate agents & investors are here to earn money on real estate.

The only difference is that they havedifferent ways of doing it. For instance, the agents are able to earn around 1-5 percent of commission on every sale facilitated by them. On the other hand, investors usually decide how much they wish to earn through a particular real estate deal. After this, they finalize over the deal that is able to meet their specific criteria.

While an agent might be relying on the sale of the property (preferably at some higher price) to make profits, an investor might do several things to pull out cash or profits from a single real estate deal. The tricks adopted by a real estate investor might include:

  • Selling the property for cash at the market value to the potential home buyer
  • Flipping the property by selling it at some discounted rate for ensuring quicker sale, usually to some another investor
  • Financing the selling of the property to some buyer such that the buyer is able to make monthly payments to the real estate investor rather than to a bank
  • Bundling the property with a bunch of some other properties and then, selling the entire batch in bulk

Real estate investors are referred so as they are immensely good at finding various creative ways of turning any real estate property into positive cash flow.

Integrity of the Brand

Real estate agents usually rely on the integrity of their names or brand in order to promote any real estate project, while the real estate investor does not have to do so.

There is no denying the fact that both agents & investors invest in marketing. Agents usually have websites, professional business cards and do effective marketing through direct mail campaigns, and other strategies.

On the other hand, the investors are simply known through their signage. You must just observe simple single sentences expressing their campaigns including “we buy houses”.

Broker Involvement

In the real estate scenario, the agents are usually employed by thereal estate brokers. However, this is not the case with real estate investors.

In case of the agents, once they done with their professional course and have been awarded the license by the state, they are required to work under the guidance of a real estate broker in order to make profits.

When it comes to real estate investors, they have their own way of handling real estate projects. Investors are usually independent individuals who head towards where the profitable deals are.

Get an offer on your house

Get a FREE offer on your house before committing to a 6-month contract with an agent.


Summary

While much of the information covered up to this point talks about fundamental differences between agents and investors, when it comes to actual dollars and process, the major differences are:

  • Time To Sell: Agents use the MLS, thus it takes more time and effort to sell a home based on its appearance and buyers in the market. An investor buys individually, so there’s no listing or showcasing involved.
  • Closing Costs: A traditional sale goes through a title company, lawyer, and a mortgage company, so there are usually closing costs associated with the transaction, ranging from $3,000-$10,000. An investor usually covers the entire cost.
  • Closing Time: A normal property sale can take 30-60 days, depending on the time in each stage. An investor is able to close within 7 days.
  • Total Value: An investor usually makes their money by purchasing low, fixing, and selling high. With all the other benefits, you can expect the investor to come in with a low-ball offer at least 30% less than the market value. An agent, however, will be able to offer you highest market value. Sometimes homeowners are limited on time, and selling quickly is more valuable than waiting for the right price.
  • Fees: Investors have no fees. Agents (both on the seller and buyer side) will generally require the standard 3% commission on the sale price.

Knowing the difference between an agent and investor can really help a homeowner sell their home in the right way.

If a seller is looking to get top-dollar and time isn’t an issue, then an agent is generally the best way to go.

But for those that are under time pressure or just don’t want to deal with the house, an investor can make it happen very quickly and the home can be sold as-is.

For more information onselling your home quickly, feel free to reach to us or explore our other topics on home selling to learn more about any particular situation (https://sellmyhouseeasyfast.com).

Spread the love

  • 1

    Share

  • 1

Houses we've recently purchased for cash

The Difference Between A Real Estate Agent and Investor | Sell My House Easy Fast (2)

Houston, Texas

Bought for cash to help the owners facing foreclosure and flood damaged.

The Difference Between A Real Estate Agent and Investor | Sell My House Easy Fast (3)

Cleveland, Ohio

Bought for cash from tired landlords, with extensive tenant damage.

The Difference Between A Real Estate Agent and Investor | Sell My House Easy Fast (4)

Memphis, Tennessee

Bought for cash from tired landlords, with extensive tenant damage.

The Difference Between A Real Estate Agent and Investor | Sell My House Easy Fast (5)

Phoenix, Arizona

Bought for cash from an owner dealing with death in the family.

  • Get a free, no-obligation offer.
  • Skip the hassle of listings an showings.
  • Close on your own timeline.
  • Pay no money out of pocket.

Your privacy is important to us. Your information will not be shared with any third parties.

Continue with articles in this series...

    Find The Best Investment Property in Houston Find the best places in Houston to invest in property Tips On Getting The Most Money For Your House

© Copyright 2019 - Sell My House Easy Fast - All Rights Reserved

The Difference Between A Real Estate Agent and Investor | Sell My House Easy Fast (2024)

FAQs

The Difference Between A Real Estate Agent and Investor | Sell My House Easy Fast? ›

The only difference is that they have different ways of doing it. For instance, the agents are able to earn around 1-5 percent of commission on every sale facilitated by them. On the other hand, investors usually decide how much they wish to earn through a particular real estate deal.

What is the difference between a real estate investor and a real estate agent? ›

Real Estate Agents Need a License

In order to ensure that the agent is honest, he or she has to follow a certain set of guidelines that the license mandates. In contrast, a real estate investor is someone who buys and sells properties for himself or herself; the investor does not represent anyone else.

Is it better to sell your home to an investor? ›

Yes, selling to a real estate investor can be an excellent plan – especially if you need to sell your place quickly, your house needs considerable repairs, you're going through a divorce, the bank is preparing to foreclose on your property, or any number of additional reasons apply.

Do real estate agents or investors make more money? ›

The agent will make more money on higher sales prices, naturally. The investor, on the other hand, does not make a commission. Instead, they will make money by finding deals where they are able to get the properties at a good price. They will then find ways to make money from the property.

Why use a realtor vs selling yourself? ›

Agents are experts in what makes homes sell. They can walk through your home, make changes that attract buyers, and get the best offers. They can also help you determine which feedback from potential buyers you should act on to improve its chances of selling.

What is the difference between a real estate dealer and an investor? ›

Real estate investors purchase real estate with the intention of holding properties and gaining financial return. Typically, real estate dealers acquire and sell real estate as part of their everyday business.

What do investors do in real estate? ›

A real estate investor invests capital in property. You buy and sell properties, manipulate their valuation, collect rents, and lobby politicians and governmental land-use agencies to realize a profit. You may work alone as an individual investor, with a partner, or as part of a network of investors.

How much will an investor pay for my house? ›

ARV: The ARV, or after-repair-value, is how much the property will go for on the open market after renovations have been made. 70% Rule: Investors use the 70% rule to determine their maximum cash offer for the property. They do this by multiplying the ARV by 70% and then subtracting renovation expenses.

Do investors pay more for a property? ›

Potential for below market value offers:

Investors are looking for properties with profit potential, so they usually make offers below market value. While maximizing profit benefits the homeowner, selling for less can be acceptable if you have more pressing priorities.

Can I choose not to sell my house to an investor? ›

“Investors are not protected by state or federal Fair Housing Laws, so if a seller refuses to sell to an investor, that is the seller's right.” For individual sellers, it can be tough to turn down investors' offers — especially when they're the highest bids by a long shot.

How much do most real estate investors make? ›

Real Estate Investor Salary in California
Annual SalaryMonthly Pay
Top Earners$117,441$9,786
75th Percentile$98,700$8,225
Average$77,142$6,428
25th Percentile$63,700$5,308

Are most millionaires real estate agents? ›

Out of the 250 top producing agents identified in the Real Trends survey, the following percentages of agents are found in the following five states: California: 44% New York State: 24% Florida: 7%

What is the most profitable position in real estate? ›

Top 10 Highest Paying Real Estate Jobs (Inc Salaries)
  1. Real Estate Investment Consultant. ...
  2. Real Estate Investor. ...
  3. Real Estate Broker. ...
  4. Commercial Real Estate Sales Agent. ...
  5. Real Estate Attorney. ...
  6. Residential Real Estate Sales Agent. ...
  7. Real Estate Developer. ...
  8. Mortgage Loan Officer.

Who is best to sell your house? ›

To get the best price possible, you should sell through a good local estate agent. To get the fastest sale possible, you should sell to a cash house buying company. For a good balance of speed and price, you should sell by auction (especially if your property has some issues).

Why you should always use a realtor? ›

Your real estate agent knows and understands the local market, so it's easier for them to set an accurate listing price for your home. They can also recommend repairs or quick enhancements that will help your home sell faster and for more money. They also know how to market your home.

What are the pros and cons of selling your own home? ›

The Pros and Cons of Selling a Home For Sale By Owner
  • Pro: Lower Commission Fees‍ ...
  • Con: No Pricing Strategy‍ ...
  • ‍Pro: More Control Over the Sale‍ ...
  • Con: A Biased Opinion‍ ...
  • Pro: Insider Knowledge‍ ...
  • Con: Inaccessibility to Marketing Channels‍ ...
  • Pro: Full Dedication to Selling Your Home‍ ...
  • ‍Con: Lack of Real Estate Knowledge‍
Apr 15, 2019

Can you make money as a real estate investor? ›

The most common way to make money in real estate is through appreciation, an increase in the property's value. Location, development, and improvements determine real estate appreciation. Real estate investors commonly rely on income from rents for residential and commercial properties.

Is a real estate investor a job? ›

According to Nicolais, real estate investing is a career that offers advantages you won't find in many other types of work.

What are the pros and cons of being a real estate investor? ›

Investing in real estate can be a good idea if done thoughtfully and strategically. It offers the potential for steady income, capital appreciation and tax benefits. However, it's not without its challenges, including high initial costs, property management responsibilities and market risks.

Is it hard to be a real estate investor? ›

Investing in real estate can be a success, but going it alone can be challenging and highly risky. Joint ventures, wholesaling, and property management are just a few ways investors can profit from real estate. It also takes a little savvy to become successful in this highly competitive sector.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Carmelo Roob

Last Updated:

Views: 5700

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carmelo Roob

Birthday: 1995-01-09

Address: Apt. 915 481 Sipes Cliff, New Gonzalobury, CO 80176

Phone: +6773780339780

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Gaming, Jogging, Rugby, Video gaming, Handball, Ice skating, Web surfing

Introduction: My name is Carmelo Roob, I am a modern, handsome, delightful, comfortable, attractive, vast, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.