You’re standing in a high-rise office in Little Seoul, looking at a wall covered in gold records and a desk that costs more than most people’s apartments. This is the Agency. If you haven’t bought one yet in GTA Online, honestly, what are you even doing with your life in Los Santos?
When Rockstar dropped The Contract update back in late 2021, it wasn't just another flashy building to buy. It changed the fundamental "loop" of the game. Most businesses in GTA 5 feel like a second job where you're constantly worried about some kid on an Oppressor Mk II blowing up your delivery van. GTA 5 The Agency is different. It's sophisticated. It's lucrative. And frankly, it’s the only business that makes you feel like the professional "cleaner" the game always promised you could be.
The Franklin and Dre Connection
Let’s be real for a second. We all missed Franklin Clinton. Seeing him transition from a street-level hustler to a high-end "fixer" for the 1% felt earned. But the real star of the show—and the reason the Agency stays relevant—is Dr. Dre.
This isn't some cheap celebrity cameo. The Dr. Dre Contract is a multi-part story mission that pays out a cool $1,000,000 every single time you finish it. While the Cayo Perico heist used to be the undisputed king of solo grinding, the Agency has clawed its way back into the conversation. Why? Because it’s consistent. You don't have to worry about guards seeing a dead body through a wall or RNG giving you tequila for the fifth time in a row. You just go in, handle business, and get paid.
The missions are cinematic. You're recovering unreleased music, breaking into the FBI (well, the FIB), and engaging in high-speed chases through the city. It feels like a mini-sequel to the single-player campaign. It's nostalgic, sure, but it's also just damn good gameplay.
Security Contracts and the Passive Income Trap
Most players buy the Agency, run the Dre missions once, and then forget the computer in the office exists. That is a massive mistake.
The Agency has this little thing called "Security Contracts." They come in a few flavors: Liquidize Assets, Gang Termination, Asset Recovery, and Rescue Operation. They aren't just filler content. For every five contracts you complete, your daily passive income—the money that goes into your office safe—increases by $500.
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It sounds like chump change, right? Wrong.
If you grind out 201 contracts (which is the cap), your safe will generate $20,000 every single in-game day. That’s $20k for doing literally nothing. Over a long play session, that adds up to millions. It’s the most reliable passive income in the game, beating out the Nightclub and the Arcade because it doesn't require you to constantly "promote" your business or swap DJs. It’s set it and forget it.
The Armory: Your One-Stop Murder Shop
If you’re tired of driving to Ammu-Nation every time you run out of armor or need a new suppressor, the Agency Armory is a godsend. It's an optional upgrade, but honestly, it’s mandatory.
The Armory provides a discount on almost everything. More importantly, it gives you access to the Rebreather and specialized gear without having to jump through hoops. But the real "secret sauce" here is the Imani Tech.
Why You Need Imani Tech Right Now
Ever been minding your own business, driving to a mission, only to be blown up by a homing missile from someone you never even saw? We all have. It's the GTA experience.
The Agency gives you access to Imani, a hacker who can install two specific upgrades on certain vehicles like the Enus Deity or the Bravado Buffalo STX:
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- Remote Control Unit: Allows you to drive your car like a drone while you're nowhere near it. Great for trolling, better for scouting.
- Missile Lock-On Jammer: This is the big one. It prevents anyone from locking onto your vehicle with homing missiles.
In a public lobby, the Lock-On Jammer is basically a "leave me alone" button. Griefers usually have terrible aim; they rely on that red square and the beep-beep-beep of a lock-on. When you take that away, they’re just losers in a flying bike who can't hit a barn door. It makes the Agency worth the price of admission alone.
Location, Location, Location
Where you buy your Agency matters. There are four spots: Little Seoul, Vespucci Canals, Rockford Hills, and Hawick.
Don't buy the most expensive one just because it's expensive. Rockford Hills is fancy, yeah, but the driveway is a nightmare to navigate when you're flying in with a helicopter. Little Seoul is generally considered the "meta" choice. It’s centrally located, has great access to the freeway, and it’s the cheapest.
I’ve spent hundreds of hours in this game, and I can tell you that being in the middle of the map saves you more time (and sanity) than having a view of the Vinewood sign.
Payphone Hits: The 10-Minute Goldmine
Franklin doesn't just sit in the office. He’ll call you—or you can call him—for Payphone Hits. These are quick, 10-minute missions that pay a base rate plus a massive "Assassination Bonus" if you kill the target in a specific way.
Back in the day, these were bugged and you could spam them. Now, there’s a cooldown, but they are still some of the highest "dollars-per-minute" activities in Los Santos. We’re talking $45,000 to $85,000 for a few minutes of work. If you aren't weaving these between your other grinds, you're leaving money on the table.
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They’re also just fun. Sometimes you have to crush a guy with a shipping container. Sometimes you have to blow up a car with a remote bomb. It’s classic GTA mayhem with a professional twist.
The Final Verdict on the Investment
Is the Agency a "must-buy" in 2026? Absolutely.
Even with newer businesses and heists being added, the GTA 5 The Agency remains the backbone of a solid solo-player strategy. It combines a high-paying story (Dre), consistent side-hustles (Security Contracts), elite gear (Armory), and the best defensive tech in the game (Imani Tech).
It’s the most "complete" property Rockstar has ever released. You get a garage, a bed, a snack bar (free healing!), and a weapon shop all in one building.
Actionable Next Steps for New Agency Owners
- Prioritize the Little Seoul location. It’s the most efficient for mission travel times and won't break your bank account.
- Run the Dr. Dre Contract immediately. It’ll pay for a large chunk of the property's cost in one go.
- Grind Security Contracts in your downtime. Don't try to do 200 in a weekend—you'll burn out. Do two or three every time you log on. Once you hit that 201 cap, you’ve secured your financial future in the game.
- Buy a vehicle that supports Imani Tech. The Buffalo STX is a personal favorite for its balance of speed and armor. Install the Missile Lock-On Jammer before you do anything else.
- Use the snacks and armor. The Agency has a bowl of snacks on the desk and an armory upstairs. Stop paying for health and protection.
If you follow this path, the Agency won't just be a building you own. It’ll be the engine that funds every other car, plane, and yacht you want to buy. Go get that paper.