Comments on: Your Friend, Your Agent?

By: Peter Baptiste

Peter Baptiste — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:00:44 +0000

Well I think this is definitely a valid conversation. I’m not quite certain who would turn out to win eventually. But it is great to know the real choice is between a realtor and a friend. A realtor is supposed to be highly ethical in their relationship with you even if they happen to be a stranger. And a friend is supposed to be a friend. So I don’t really know which is best. You pick!

The Foreclosure Doctor

By: Paul Francis, CRS

Paul Francis, CRS — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 06:20:51 +0000

“Alberto Iraola, who owns a landscaping company and has a real estate license, referred his friend of nearly 40 years, Steven Evans, to another agent. For this referral, Iraola received a 1.5 percent commission that he then gave to Evans.”

Not sure I want to comment on that… But it certainly does explain why he does not practice real estate as his primary profession.

Which.. interestingly there is no mention of choosing the friend that does real estate part time or choosing a friend that does it full time which is probably more important then anything the article mentioned…

By: jp moses | REI Tips

jp moses | REI Tips — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:00:16 +0000

I’ve faced this a number of times.

It’s true that if you have a good friend who’s an agent and you hire someone else, it can be a real slap in the face.

I’ve been there. In fact, when my wife’s grandfather was going to sell his home, he hired a complete stranger to list it instead of me. I brushed it off quickly but it really hurt my wife and has caused a rift between them that has yet to heal.

But also if you’re friend’s not a good agent, then you shouldn’t feel obligated to use them just b/c you’re friends. A real friend would want what’s best for you, no?

It’s a tough one to be sure.

…jp

By: Matthew Dollinger

Matthew Dollinger — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:40:17 +0000

Marlow,

I read the same article the other day, and where I’m in Chicago, not Seattle, I believe that home-buying public is of similar mindset. I remember teaching new agent classes and going through the creation of your Sphere of Influence. Many of the agents would comment on this very issue.

I personally feel, and have said this exact same thing to hundreds of agents… if you believe that you are good enough, will give 110%, and will commit to overserving your clients until the transaction is closed and beyond… then by all means work with friends.

If not… work open houses. I think that herein lies the problem is that some sub-par agents work with their friends, and here is where the problem begins. Long story short… step it up to an “11″ if you’re going to work with friends, or risk losing the ones you’ve got.

Matthew Dollinger
@properties
matthew.dollinger@gmail.com

By: Steve Simon

Steve Simon — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:00:02 +0000

I have been the “Broker That You Were Friends With But Did Not Use”, let me tell you that it sucks!
Twenty plus years experience and someone goes out to make use of someone with half the experience and none of the personal motivation to do right by a friend… I asked and was told that doing business with a friend isn’t a good idea. I just disagree with it entirely. If your friend is a good friend, and a good agent you would be crazy not to use them. No stranger is going to have the same motivation as a good friend…