Real estate middlemen are the ones who say the right things and know the right people in order to take a cut. In an industry known for its lack of scruples, investors face a bewildering array of choice to pick from, and horror stories abound.

Often, it is not even obvious as to what they actually do. Despite efforts through technological innovation to cut their role out, agents play a critical role in the allocation of capital in the real estate industry. The world moves through them: without their go-between, you’re selling a house that nobody sees.