Many Investors are really looking for guidance. We as Realtors have tools and training to find what the normal consumer can't. The MLS is a super tool, and it's getting much stronger all the time.
I have been working with Iinvestors now for quite a while... I quit pursuing them after becoming a Regular Realtor working floor time in a busy office. Before I knew it, I was chasing around like the rest of the crowd, becoming what Jessica Horton calls a Pop Tart Realtor. I tried being all things to all people, worked all the floor time I could get, and canvassed for FSBO's.
I did watch as one or two Realtors worked a few iinvestors on deals over and over. They cultivated relationships and looked for investment properties. Regular deals came along too, but they counted on the iinvestors for their livings. Their very stable ongoing commission driven livings...imagine having 5 - 10 more deals a year, would that make a difference!!!
As the years have gone by, I have gone to a 90-10% profile of investor clients. That led me to the developers who need our tools, our professionalism. They need our access to the MLS. Also, after a property is purchased, they need our services to sell it for them.
Investors don't run around with signs on their backs. Its not always obvious who an investor client will be. I learned to say, " I find deals for people to help them make back the money they lost in the stock market" That particular line (which is true) has put me in conversations with people I never saw as investors.
I know now that 
investors buy homes for children. Investors look for deals to supplement thier income. They buy condo deals and dream of vacationing more often. Investors are looking to find an 
experienced professional who will find them deals that fit THEIR needs, not yours. I would suggest taking commercial investment courses, learn more about cap rates, ROI, time and value of money. You also have to find properties that are not just good deals, but have enough left in them to be fixed up and sold for a profit later. Its a totally different set of math skills
So, Realtors out there who want to stay in the game longer, go back to school. Learn the math. Deal with investors. Join the local investment clubs and just listen for a while. When you are ready, you too will have a steady stream of clients who will count on you....Its worked for me..Its worked for may long time Realtors who have chosen to learn the math and have a constant flow of income, no matter the market..
Best of luck, and take good care of your clients...Oh yeah...learn to become a single agent...My humble opinion only...but we can only serve on person at a time...Make sure your investor knows that they are your only interest!!
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