Thread: Working with friends

I try not to work with friends or relatives as it is usually rather hard and they can allow things that other people can't do e.g. price reduction.

I'm happy to work with friends and relatives. Just make sure you do your best when working with them because they are going to expect a lot from you, and you don't want to sour a relationship because of a real estate transaction. No amount of money if worth that.

If you feel as though you are able to represent their best interests fairly and professionally, then perhaps you should have them as your clients. Not only will you get experience in the industry with (hopefully) more understanding clients, but you have a chance to show them your level of professionalism. Good luck.

I just sold my girlfriend a condo last week and it went great. I just showed my buddy a home last night. The more I think about it it would be great to build a business with your friends.

It's depends upon the relationship and mutual understanding with friends for the real estate business, Trust is the most important in any type of the business if we want to grow in the business. SO for that the mutual understanding is must necessary.

I just had my first official client as a new realtor and it was a friend - and it was one of the most horrible, disturbing experiences of my life. A total trainwreck. Not because she was such a dear "friend" (I have known her pretty well for two years, from a bigger circle of acquaintances), but because I was so wronged and abused.

I had heard the warnings about working with friends, and was already aware of a toxic side of her personality, but I thought "how hard can this be? we'll just take it step by step, communicate, etc."

Well it was a huge mistake. I have posted a thread in "new realtors' on this experience because I need to vent and try to get over it.

Seriously, be careful.

What is everyone's opinion on representing friends in a real estate transaction? I'm a very green agent and the first people willing to are friends in my area.

Do you work with them? Do you steer them to other agents

representing friends in a real state transaction is quite risky but if you have deep understanding about such matter then it will not be difficult for both of you to transact that business.

It would ultimately rely on how strong your friendships are. If you feel comfortable representing them and know that they won't expect any 'added benefits' such as price reductions, they it would be fine to work with them.

If you feel that by representing them you may potentially jepordised your relationship - then I would recommend you think very clearly before maing this decision.

Unfortunately it is not unheard of for friendships to break down through this kind of transaction so you need to make sure you are strong enough friends to make it through.

Personally I tend not to work with friends or family but instead recommend them a good realtor friend of mine to work with. That way you are not the bad guy and you can still help your friends out!

Thanks for the feedback. Generally people have been supportive. You're very right, it's ultimately about the quality of the friendship. In this case I was- typically for a newbie - eager to have the friend as client even if potentially dangerous, I assumed that our collective common sense - and sensitivity - would prevent blow ups.

But I was wrong, and honestly I'm ok with it at this point. This was ultimately not a friend. In fact interestingly, in starting to learn about sales psychology and personality, she and I fall into almost opposite types. The sourceI was recently reading fromcited four character types: a) Driver b) Analytical c) Expressive and d) Amiable. She was a "Driver" type, who typically does not show sensitivity to others, must have their ego satisfied, and is only concerned with then getting what they want very objectively. I am apparently an "Amiable" type (tied with Analytical"), who tries to build trust, rapport, and a mutual connection with my client.

Totally different styles of relating to people, and I'm ok with that too. However I remain somewhat shocked that even for a "Driver" type: cold, abrasive, ego, the "I'm right and you're wrong" attitude - coming from a friend, took precedence over the friendship, and working together to get her a house.

And what also still shocks me is that she believed that her stubborn "I'm right and you're wrong," and "do what I tell you" attitude equaled "high standards" which I was not meeting. ????#$%&&@@!!!

I have been making this comparison: When you go to a lawyer, do you tell the lawyer "This is how it's going to be. I expect this outcome, and you file this when I say so, etc"

When you go to an accountant, do you tell the accountant "You're going to file my taxes this way, and I don't care what the law says, or what the standard is, the process will be bent my way, etc."

No you don't. Now, realtors are not lawyers or accountants, but the business relationship is similar I believe: we are consultants, guiding our clients through a standardized process. You don't make demands to a seller with before an offer. Whatever.