Should I Hire my Realtor Friend or a Realtor in the area I'm looking to buy a home?

**busybee** · 02-28-2010, 02:23 PM

Hi All,

I am having a bit of a dilemma and would really appreciate any expert advice you can give. I am going to be buying a home within the next few months. I have a dear friend who is a Realtor but works in an area about an hour away from where I live. Should I hire my friend, who I trust, or go with an Realtor who specializes in the area I want to buy in?

Thanks for your help.

**PreviewOrangeCounty** · 02-28-2010, 08:10 PM

Good question and a tough one. I would lean towards finding a good agent who specializes in the area you want to buy.
I personally don't help friends or clients out of my area I feel comfortable in.

**maui** · 02-28-2010, 10:07 PM

There is a good chance that your friend would not want to your agent. The distance could be a detriment, as well as not being his area of expertise (so he might feel as though he is not giving you the best possible service). But ask him if he knows somebody in that area to whom he could refer you, so he could put you in trusted hands (and the referral fee wouldn't hurt either).

**Chrisopher Moltisanti** · 03-01-2010, 04:31 AM

Yeah, ask him if he knows somebody. But first ask him if he's an expert (if you don't know) and if he is (if you know before you ask him), if he's interested. He may not be do to the distance as others have advised and he might not have the $400 in gasoline it's going to cost him for that week. BUT! He may have the wherewithall. You won't know until you ask him first.

He's your friend, give him the first opportunity (if you want an expert and he is one that is).

If he declines it'll be because he said so and you didn't decide for him.

CM

**Moore** · 03-01-2010, 04:47 AM

I think that you'd better hire not your friend, but another realtor who knows the area very well. Your friend can just consult you on some matters.

**Greg** · 03-01-2010, 05:58 AM

If your friend is willing to help you buy a house in an area they are not familiar with, then you need to question your trust in them.

**First Time Home Buyers** · 03-01-2010, 07:09 AM

Why not ask your friend for a good referral in your area, and they can take a 20% cut of your agent's commission at closing for the referral.

This is common practice in the business, and can let your friend know that you value their opinion.

**jeancarlo** · 03-01-2010, 08:19 AM

I think that you have to contrac any expert, and no your friend, because always a weist of time, that is my advice

**Bones** · 03-01-2010, 08:33 AM

I think you should ask your friend if he is interested in helping you. He is your friend and you trust him. Maybe he would just prefer to refer you to another agent since it's so far away.