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Is Blood Really Thicker Than Water?

By
Real Estate Agent with Fredericksburg Realty, Inc

I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine that left me a bit puzzled. 

She had recently placed her home on the market, the listing agent was her mother.  She was unhappy about the way some of the things were being done as far as marketing her home.  She asked for my opinion and advice.  Truthfully,  I felt her concerns were valid.  She confronted her mother with the issues she was having but always felt as though she was being placed on the back burner. 

Okay...we always hear that's why you should not work with family or close friends.  But, this is her mother.  At the end of the conversation she shared with me that her mother was not giving her any reduction of her "standard commission".  What?  Nope, nothing.  No special treatment. 

I asked her why she did not go to another agent.  She replied " I could not do that to her, it just doesn't seem right". 

So all you "active rainers", What advice would you give to my friend?  Do you give a break to your family...especially your children or parents? 

I personally would feel horrible making $10,000 (or any amount for that matter) at the expense of my child or parent.

Comments (7)

Simon Conway
Orlando Area Real Estate Services - Orlando, FL

Well this is tricky, because quite frankly she should never have given it to her Mom in the first place - especially as her Mom was charging her! Right now she is between a rock and a hard place. Obviously you didn't tell us why she needed to sell, but if this was an option I would simply take it off the market and then wait a couple or three months before going back to market with an independent Realtor. That argument is a heck of a lot easier than the "how can you fire your Mom? one.

Don't forget to check out my latest installment at The Power of Radio #3

Sep 26, 2007 07:44 AM
Dawn DeGroff
Fredericksburg Realty, Inc - Fredericksburg, VA
She has to sell as soon as possible, for many reasons.  It is priced right, but IMO not marketed properly.  There is about an 11.5 months supply of homes on the market right now.  With that much competition you have to do more.  I am not sure what her mother is thinking.  
Sep 26, 2007 11:13 AM
Patsy Ittner, Your Premier Broker Selling St. Augustine Real Estate
Little Fox Realty - Saint Augustine, FL

You bet this is tricky.  There's your friends.  There's your family.  And then there's your MOTHER!  That's a whole different category.

Perhaps her mom needs the money, hence she chose her.  Also, maybe her mom could use some help in the marketing....a daughter could do that.  There's just too many nuances to a situation like this and not enough information.  I'd not interfere between a mom and her daughter, no matter what the circumstances.  No advice from me, and that, in and of itself, is rare!

Sep 27, 2007 03:42 AM
Dawn DeGroff
Fredericksburg Realty, Inc - Fredericksburg, VA
Patsy - I agree with you.  I am going to stay out of it... I was honest with her regarding questions she asked specifically.  No, she doesn't really need the money (the mother).  There is more to the story...but I do not want to make a bad situation worse by sharing too much.
Sep 27, 2007 07:06 AM
Ed DeChristopher
Fredericksburg Realty, Inc. - Fredericksburg, VA
CRS Fredericksburg VA

Could it be that it is her mother-in-law and not her mother?

Mothers-in-law often act like that.  Sometimes they are a bit strange.  In my particular case that was not true.  If you ever met her you would know that she was a wonderful person and almost as nice as my own.

Sep 27, 2007 09:54 PM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Dawn,

When I listed and sold my Dad's house a few years ago, I tried to give him a discount on his commission. He would have no part of it and instead gave me a large bonus (over and above the standard commission) after closing day !!!  (for a job well done, he said)

((-: 

Jo 

Oct 05, 2007 11:58 AM
Scott Blanchard
Mortgage Force - Newtown, CT

I refinanced my parents and saved them over $1200 a month in savings. I charged them 1 point or $1000. I didn't want to charge them anything but they insisted so I talked to my Broker and we charged the above. I don't think a nominal fee is wrong .

 

 

  

Nov 07, 2007 02:53 AM