How to Find Real Estate Investors

New and aspiring real estate agents can find investors by starting with their sphere of influence, joining local real estate investor associations (REIAs), learning from investor-focused agents in their brokerage, connecting with property managers and lenders, and sharing helpful local market content. Building these relationships early, even while you’re studying for your license, gives you a head start. 

If you’re working toward your license or just earned it, investors might seem like clients for experienced agents only. They don’t have to be. Many investors are regular people who own one or two rentals, and they need an agent who understands their goals and stays in touch. 

Investor clients can also be a smart niche for a new agent. An investor who buys one rental may buy more over time, and investors often know other investors. Plus, much of what you study in real estate school, including property valuation, leases, and real estate math, is the same foundation investors rely on. 

This guide walks you through ways to find investors, how to start the conversation, and how to build relationships that grow with your career. 

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What Is a Real Estate Investor?

A real estate investor is a person or organization that buys, owns, improves, rents, or sells property mainly for financial return rather than as a primary residence. Investors range from a neighbor who owns one rental house to companies that own hundreds of units. 

Each investor follows a strategy, and that strategy shapes the type of property they want and what they need from you. Here are the investor types you’re most likely to meet as a new agent:

You may also meet wholesalers, who put properties under contract and then assign or resell them to another buyer for a fee. A growing number of states regulate wholesaling, so talk with your managing broker before working with one. 

Where Can New Real Estate Agents Find Investors?

1. Your existing sphere of influence
2. Local REIAs and investor meetups
3. Your brokerage, mentors, and experienced agents
4. Property managers, lenders, and other real estate professionals
5. Online communities and social media
6. Open houses for rental-friendly and small multifamily listings
7. Helpful local market content you create
8. Referrals from your first investor clients

Can New Agents Work With Real Estate Investors?

Yes. Once you’re licensed and working under a sponsoring broker, you can represent investors in purchases and sales, just as you would any other client. There’s no separate license required to work with investor buyers or sellers.

The key is to start where you’re comfortable. Many new agents begin with smaller investors, such as first-time landlords buying a single-family rental or duplex. Others team up with an experienced agent on their first investor deals. Your managing broker is a great resource for questions about contracts, brokerage policies, and anything you haven’t handled before.

How to Find Real Estate Investors: 8 Beginner-Friendly Strategies

You don’t need years of experience or a big marketing budget to start meeting investors. Each strategy below covers where to look, how to start the conversation, and a tip to help you along the way.

1. Start With Your Sphere of Influence

Where to Look: Friends, family, former coworkers, neighbors, classmates, and local business owners. Think about anyone who has mentioned owning a rental property or wanting to buy one. Many small landlords don’t think of themselves as investors, so they may not reach out unless you ask.

How to Start the Conversation: Let people know you’re becoming a real estate agent and that you’re interested in helping people buy and sell investment property. A simple question like “Have you ever thought about owning a rental?” can open the door.

Tip: Keep a list of people who own rentals or show interest, and stay in touch with helpful updates. For more ideas, see How to Get Your First Real Estate Client. 

2. Join Local Real Estate Investor Associations and Meetups

A REIA is a local or regional group where investors meet to network, share ideas, and learn. Because members are actively buying and managing property, these groups are one of the best places for a new agent to meet investors. 

Where to Look: Search online for REIAs and landlord associations in your area, and check event platforms for local investor meetups. 

How to Start the Conversation: Introduce yourself as a new agent who wants to learn. Ask members what they buy, where they buy, and what they wish their previous agent did better. People are often happy to share their experience. 

Tip: Show up consistently. Investors notice who comes back month after month. For more on networking, read How to Network to Increase Your Real Estate Leads.

3. Learn From Your Brokerage and Experienced Agents

Where to Look: Agents in your brokerage who work with investors, your managing broker, and any mentorship or team programs your brokerage offers. 

How to Start the Conversation: Ask an investor-focused agent if you can help on a deal, shadow a showing, or assist with research. Let colleagues who don’t work with investors know you’re happy to take investor referrals.

Tip: If you haven’t chosen a brokerage yet, ask whether its agents work with investors and whether it offers mentorship opportunities. 10 Tips for Succeeding in Real Estate You Won’t Learn in School explains why finding the right brokerage matters. 

4. Connect With Property Managers, Lenders, and Other Professionals

Where to Look: Property managers, lenders who offer investment property loans, home inspectors, contractors, insurance agents, and title and closing professionals. 

How to Start the Conversation: Introduce yourself and ask what their investor clients need. Treat each connection as a two-way relationship and send business their way when it makes sense. 

Tip: Property managers are a great place to start. They work with landlords every day and often hear first when an owner wants to buy or sell.

5. Join Online Communities and Social Media Groups

Where to Look: LinkedIn, local Facebook groups for landlords and investors, investor forums such as BiggerPockets, and neighborhood groups.

How to Start the Conversation: Answer questions, share local market updates, and post simple explainers about buying rental property in your area. Follow each group’s rules on self-promotion.

Tip: Focus on being helpful rather than selling. Over time, a record of useful answers builds trust with people who are researching your market. 

6. Use Open Houses to Meet Investor Buyers

Where to Look: Open houses for your brokerage’s listings that appeal to investors, such as duplexes, multifamily buildings, or homes in strong rental neighborhoods.

How to Start the Conversation: Ask visitors whether they plan to live in the property or rent it out. If they’re investors, ask what they’re looking for and offer to send similar properties. 

Tip: Ask your managing broker or a listing agent in your office about hosting open houses. It’s a common way for new agents to meet buyers of all kinds.

7. Share Helpful Local Market Content

Where to Look: Your social media accounts, an email newsletter, or a simple agent website. 

How to Start the Conversation: Share easy-to-read updates on local rents, recent sales, and neighborhoods popular with renters. Short posts that explain investor terms in plain language can also attract people who are just getting started. 

Tip: Keep your content local and factual, and never promise returns. AI tools can help you draft faster. Learn How Real Estate Agents Use AI, or watch Kaplan’s RealXperts webinar on harnessing AI for success to learn some helpful tips and tricks.

8. Ask Your First Investor Clients for Referrals

Where to Look: Investors you’ve helped, even on a single transaction. 

How to Start the Conversation: Keep it simple: “I really enjoyed working with you. If you know anyone else who’s thinking about buying a rental, I’d be glad to help them too.”

Tip: Investors often know other landlords and real estate professionals. One happy investor client can lead to several new relationships, so thank every referral and keep in touch.

How to Start Building Your Investor Network Before You’re Licensed

You can’t represent clients until you’re licensed, but you can start building relationships and knowledge while you study. Here’s how to use that time well:

• Attend REIA Meetings as a Learner: Listening to investors talk about their goals and challenges will help you understand what they need from an agent.
• Follow Your Local Market: Pay attention to rents, recent sales, and which neighborhoods attract renters.
• Connect the Dots in Your Coursework: Prelicensing topics such as property valuation, the income approach, leases, and real estate math are the same concepts investors use every day.
• Research Brokerages: Look for brokerages with agents who work with investors and offer mentorship to new agents.
• Tell Your Sphere About Your Plans: Let people know you’re becoming a real estate agent so they think of you when they’re ready to buy or sell.

Not sure where to begin? How to Become a Real Estate Agent walks you through the general licensing process. 

Investor Terms Every New Agent Should Know

You don’t need to be a financial expert to work with investors, but knowing their language will help you feel confident in every conversation. Here are some terms to know:

• Buy Box: The specific criteria an investor uses to decide what to buy, such as property type, price range, and location. 
• Cap Rate (Capitalization Rate): A property’s net operating income divided by its purchase price or value, shown as a percentage.
• Cash Flow: The money left over after the property’s operating expenses and loan payments are paid. 
• After-Repair Value (ARV): The estimated value of a property after renovations are complete.
• Rental Comps: Rents for similar nearby properties, used to estimate how much a property could earn. 
• 1031 Exchange: A section of federal tax code that may let investors defer capital gains taxes when they sell investment property and buy similar replacement property, subject to strict rules and deadlines. Always refer tax questions to a CPA or tax professional. Watch Kaplan’s RealXperts webinar on 1031 exchanges to learn more. 

Questions to Ask a New Investor Client

Asking the right questions up front helps you understand an investor’s buy box so you can focus on properties that fit. For example, “a duplex under $400,000 in two nearby zip codes” gives you a clear target, while “a good deal” doesn’t. Questions to ask:

1. What kind of investing do you want to do, such as long-term rentals or flips?
2. What property types and neighborhoods interest you?
3. What price range are you comfortable with?
4. Will you be financing the purchase or paying cash?
5. How much renovation work are you willing to take on?
6. When are you hoping to buy?
7. Is anyone else involved in the decision?

These questions help you find the right properties for your client. Leave investment, tax, and legal advice to the appropriate professionals.

Common Mistakes New Agents Make With Investors

• Assuming Every Investor Wants the Same Thing: A house flipper and a long-term landlord need very different properties.
• Sending Every New Listing: Learn each investor’s buy box first, then share only properties that fit.
• Promising Results: Never guarantee rents, returns, or appreciation.
• Pitching Too Soon: Build trust and learn an investor’s goals before asking for their business. 
• Losing Touch Between Deals: Regular, helpful check-ins keep you top of mind.
• Going It Alone: Lean on your managing broker and experienced colleagues when a deal is new to you.
• Giving Advice Outside Your Role: Refer tax, legal, and financial questions to qualified professionals.

Start Your Real Estate Career With Kaplan

Finding real estate investors starts with the same skills that help any new agent succeed: learning your market, building relationships and trust, and following up consistently. It also takes a strong foundation in real estate principles, so you can speak confidently when investors ask about values, rent, and contracts. 

Kaplan Real Estate Education can support you at every stage of your career:

• Prelicensing courses to help you meet your state’s education requirements.
• Exam prep to help you prepare for your licensing exam.
• Post-licensing courses to help you build skills in your first years as an agent.
• Continuing education to keep your license current and your knowledge growing.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Finding Real Estate Investors

Where is the Best Place to Find Real Estate Investors?

Local REIAs and investor meetups are often the best place to start because they bring active investors together. New agents can also find investors through their sphere of influence, property managers and lenders, online investor communities, and agents in their own brokerage who work with investors.

Can a New Real Estate Agent Work With Investors?

Yes. Once you’re licensed and working under a sponsoring broker, you can represent investors just like any other client. Many new agents start with smaller investors, such as first-time landlords, or partner with an experienced agent on early deals. Your managing broker can help with questions along the way.

Do You Need a Special License to Work With Real Estate Investors?

No separate license is required to represent investors in a purchase or sale. You need a state real estate license and a sponsoring broker, just as you would for any client. Rules for related activities, such as property management or wholesaling, vary by state, so check with your state’s real estate commission.

Can I Start Networking With Investors Before I’m Licensed?

Yes. While you can’t represent clients until you’re licensed, you can attend REIA meetings, learn how investors evaluate properties, follow your local market, and let your network know you’re becoming an agent. 

What Do Real Estate Investors Look For in an Agent?

Real estate investors typically look for an agent who understands their goals, responds quickly, and knows the local market, including rents and recent sales. They value agents who send properties that match their criteria and can connect them with trusted property managers, lenders, and contractors.

Are Real Estate Investor Groups Worth Joining?

For many new agents, yes. Real estate investor groups bring together people who are actively buying and managing property, which makes them a great place to learn and build relationships. Attend consistently, listen to members’ goals, and offer helpful insight before asking for business.

Does Real Estate School Teach You How to Work With Investors?

Real estate prelicensing courses cover many of the building blocks investors use, including property valuation, the income approach, leases, and real estate math. After you’re licensed, post-licensing and continuing education courses can help you build on that foundation.