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THE SCARLET LETTER...Don't take a Family Members Listing

By
Real Estate Agent with ERA, Wilkinson Real Estate Charlotte 183201

While I normally write Blogs and put them out there for everyone to see...this morning...I will just keep it "Between Us Folks in The Business"...certainly I would not want family members seeing this...Somewhere in the course of getting your RE License, between what the sq.footage is of an acre...between how to write an OTP, how to handle Due Diligence...and right before they explain Continuing Education to you...

You will always be fair warned of the  "Unwritten Cardinal Rule"

DO NOT TAKE AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS LISTING...

Luckily for me..I was asked to give a recommendation of someone who lived closeby(I live almost 3 hours away)...but I know the house...so I thought...where is the harm in that? I did..I referred the most qualified person out there, personable, born & raised in the small town the property was in...no brainer right? Finally in my 15 years of RE would I finally feel like I helped a family member....YA, don't count them chickens...

Doing a Real Estate deal with Immediate Family is like  asking for a Death Wish to be EX-communicated from your family...I will say for the record, I WILL NOT...be collecting a referral on my Family Member's Listing...you see...

I want to note that conventional sense, a fact based Market Analysis & proven years of experience by both the referring agent and myself was tossed...NO, hurdled out the window when the demands of unrealistic expectations started with said Family Member....

 

And that is when everything clicked...for me anyhow...DO NOT TAKE AN OVER PRICED, unrealistic, non-market ready, dilusional, high-maitenance owner's LISTING...especially if they are related to you...NO AMOUNT OF MONEY IS WORTH THE EXPECTATIONS THAT WILL COME WITH EVERY DREADED & WAKING DAY OF THAT FAMILY MEMBER'S HOME NOT SELLING...

I started having flashes of MYSELF at family functions, backed into a corner, My mother, Stepfather & sibling coming at me with Pitchforks...Being told I must wear a Scarlet Letter "A"...

"A$$HOLE AGENT THAT COULD NOT GET FAMILY MEMBERS' HOME SOLD"...because even though I was only referring the agent, I was still going to be associated directly with the home...NO THANKS...what????                 YES, NO THANKS...I'LL PASS.....

SO WHAT HAPPENED YOU SAY? THIS FAMILY MEMBER WENT THE "UNCONVENTIONAL WAY", THEY OVERPRICED THE HOME, PUT IT ON-MARKET IN AS-IS CONDITION, AND LISTED IT WITH AN UNKNOWN AGENT...

DON'T KNOW THEM, NEVER HEARD OF THEM...DON'T CARE....NO REFERRAL MONEY MADE...BUT

 

        AT LEAST I CAN STILL GO TO THE FAMILY BBQ! 

 

 

MELISSA POLCE        704-450-4335

www.ListingsLakeNorman.com 

www.ListingsCharlotte.com

 

 BUYING OR SELLING, CALL ME TODAY, THE MARKET IS MOVING!!!!

 

FIND YOUR NEXT PROPERTY

Chuck Willman
Chuck Willman - Alpine, UT
NewHouseUtah.com

It is indeed a warm kettle of water over a stoked flame. I've been there- it only works if the family member is super level headed and/or has a sense for how these things work. This is a rare combination of traits and experience.

Feb 17, 2015 12:08 AM
Melissa Polce
ERA, Wilkinson Real Estate Charlotte - Huntersville, NC
Lake to Land, I've Got It Covered!

yep...and I do not have said "level headed, market knowledgeable, reality driven" family member :) Thanks!!!

Feb 17, 2015 12:32 AM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

Melissa Polce 
Loved the story! All the best for a happy new year - Lynn

Jan 07, 2019 12:55 AM