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My Sister's Friend's Mother Is An X -Agent

By
Real Estate Agent with BCR Realtors 262359

We all experience it at one time or another in our career. Either someone related to, or the friend of,  one of your clients gets involved in your marketing or transaction. I don't know which is worse ...... the X-agent relative ......or the x-agent friend. Take your pick!

So here's the dialogue usually left on a recording because they are too afraid to tell me in person:

Hi Trey,    Listen up....My sister's got a friend from back east whose mother is a retired agent, and is  going to be calling you to discuss  you are doing to market our home and how you arrived at the price. Could you give her whatever she asks for? Your so sweet. Cheers!

I have often wondered how on earth can a total stranger to the area really actually be a good judge of the value of a home located 2000 miles from an area that she worked in once,  and knowing that her entire career spanned a whopping  total of 20 months?! I could not in good faith ever advise my friends  or relatives on a property this way. It just doesn't help anyone to attempt it .

Have a prosperous week!

Comments (8)

Jen Olson
First Weber Group Realtors - Marshfield, WI

Trey-  I think the well-meaning friend of a friend's mother-in-law likes to feel like they are the super hero flying in to save the day!  In fact they often end up in the way.  The other one that I have had a couple of times is that well after the fact, you are told about the friend in real estate that wants a referral fee.

Have a great week!

Apr 03, 2010 04:28 PM
Matt Grohe
RE/MAX Concepts - Des Moines, IA
Serving the metro since 2003

Trey: Seller's nephew from Florida played the heavy to me here in Iowa. At least he tried to anyway.

Apr 03, 2010 04:29 PM
Robin Dampier REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker King - Hendersonville, NC
Hendersonville & Western NC Real Estate Source

Yes, I'm sure we all encounter this and it can definitely be counter productive for all.  I'm sure it is well intentioned (maybe?) but disruptive none the less and must just be worked through.

Have a great Easter.

Sue of Robin and Sue

Apr 03, 2010 04:30 PM
John Thomas
E3 Green HOMES - Boulder, CO
EcoBroker, MSEE, MBA

Agreed...it happens a lot. Unfortunately, it is hard to overcome without them feeling like you are trying to take advantage of them somehow...at least that is my experience.

Apr 03, 2010 04:32 PM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

Oh my -- well there are always well meaning friends -- who do not know anything about a situation.

Apr 03, 2010 04:54 PM
Elite Home Sales Team
Elite Home Sales Team OC - Corona del Mar, CA
A Tenacious and Skilled Real Estate Team

Yes I have had the expert wispering in the ear and creating havoc in a transaction.

Apr 03, 2010 05:25 PM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Wow Trey!

I've been on both sides of this issue. There is an agent in Tennessee that couldn't quite believe it when her buyers friend rewrote her offer before they'd sign it. The seller accepted it after their agent had said no to the proposal. There was an agent a bank it NC what had the same experience, it saved my brother 1.250% on the mortgage rate and 2 points.

"you are doing to market our home and how you arrived at the price"  Asking what you're doing is fair, I put my parents place on the Internet, their local agent didn't even have e-mail access, the buyer first saw it there. Asking how a price was arrived at is different than suggesting the value! How you arrive at a value is universal. How you established that value speaks of your companies.

I've had former students and readers ask for help, even when 2,000 miles away.

Then there's Uncle Charlie, I learned early to know who was helping with the cost! Who the buyer's trust! It maybe annoying, they maybe incompetent, but the buyer listens to them, act accordingly!

Get permission from your client and deal with them!

Bill

 

Apr 04, 2010 12:09 AM
Ricki Eichler McCallum
CastNet Realty - Corpus Christi, TX
Broker,GRI,ABR, e-Pro, TAHS

Annoying to say the least.  I ask, "why did you hire me to do this job if you don't have confidence in my ability.  Are you sure you want me to spend the time talking to your friend/relative or spend the time talking to buyers about your home?  You decide."  :)

Apr 04, 2010 09:37 AM