Upper Marlboro Real Estate: Choosing A Realtor You Know- Part II

In my initial blog, Choosing A Realtor You Personally Know, I respond to a real estate article that recommends for real estate clients (buyers, sellers, and renters) to not use a real estate agent they personally know.  I was immediately disturbed by this suggestion.  What I have learned throughout the real estate profession is that conflict can happen with any client.  When a real estate agent is trying to gain real estate business, every relationship is important.  The risk of damaging any relationship can prove detrimental to the ongoing success of a realtor's business.  It is a real estate agent's goal to successfully help every buyer, seller, and renter close a deal.  When this happens, there is a great chance that the realtor will get the client's repeat real estate business and/or get a referral for business.   While any setbacks can damage a personal relationship; the goal, however, is not to damage the business relationship.  Consequently, some personal relationships can develop through the success of the business relationship.   

It is my professional opinion that a buyer, seller, or renter should always seriously look at the opportunity of working with a realtor they personally know.  I think a client has every right to want to support a friend or family member in their business endeavors first, before they seek outside help.  It's common sense to support and help those people you know. 

The primary benefit of a client selecting a real estate agent they personally know, is the security of knowing who they are hiring to do the job.  There is no guessing about what the client is getting into.  At least the buyer, seller, or renter has some knowledge of of the real estate agent's character.  When buyers, sellers, or renters decide to select a real estate agent they are not familiar with, trust will have to be established during the process.

The field of real estate is saturated with a large pool of competent real estate agents.  These realtors are ready to help buyers look for homes for sale and write winning sales offers.  They are goal oriented and are determined to get buyers to settlement.  These realtors are also prepared to act as listing agents and list homes for sale.  Once listed, these agents are ready to get the listings sold quickly.  In addition, these realtors are willing to work just as hard with renters to find rental properties.  With this in mind, if a client attempts to work with a realtor he or she personally knows and it doesn't work out, there are enough realtors who are available and waiting to take the business.  There is no guarantee that every business relationship will work out, and if it doesn't, the client has every opportunity to select another realtor.