Real Estate “Experts” -----Detrimental or Beneficial?

I give the facts and try to answer their questions. I agree with Lenn that you can't argue with them. It's up to the buyer and if they choose to listen to their friends or whomever then maybe they aren't ready to buy a home. If every decision has to be a summit meeting, then I gracefully back out.

In most cases, diffusing the friend or family member by letting them speak works. I would rather meet the friend and observe them interact than have the buyer go home and then get his or her head turned around while I can't have input.

Occasionally, friends are simply self-serving deal killers. They can't buy a home, or theirs is not as nice, and they can't stand their "friend" having one. This is difficult to overcome until the buyers lose one or two deals and are kicking themselves afterward for listening to the "expert" know-it-alls.

I like the way you handle "the house whisperer" friend. Good way to ease into the conversation!

Hi Sally, we agree.  We sometimes see it with a parent helping their child or vice verse.  The worst are the homebrew "inspectors".

Sally, this is great advice! I had a buyer last year that brought their best friend to each showing. The "friend" explained why EVERY house wasn't worth it. Turns out the "friend" thought that buying ANY house was a waste and lived in an apartment for years.

Regardless of who the buyers rely on for advice, we must accentuate the buyers benefits with positive consequences, like personal tax incentives, fixed home payments, freedom to remodel, change to their lifestyle, etc., and adapt to their circumstances. If the buyer isn't buying today, he'll buy in the future or not ever, so as long as it's not ever, you still have an opportunity to provide them service. Be persistent and visible, provide valuable, useful information and be the expert in your neighborhood.

I wouldn't have a problem with the tag-a-longs IF I didn't get the feeling that it then becomes an "them" vs. "me" bash.  I've had parents at home inspections and I'm not making this up, the mother said "Oh, I watch HGTV all the time" . . . which makes me really, really wonder.  Does watching Sesame Street all the time make me a pre-school teacher?!?

Sally, thanks for the currently relevant post.

Dear Sally,

When Snooping Sam or Nosey Nelly say something that is right, I try to praise them, so they feel validated and not so offended, when I correct their opinions later. Sometimes, prefacing it with "That is what I thought, but then I learned ...." or "You would be surprised to know that the opposite is true." helps to diffuse the situation without alienating the "expert."

As Realtors we are fortunate that most clients have minds of their own. For those who seek reassurance, we can only hope that their friends or relatives are listeners!

Hi Sally.  I am in total agreement with wu are saying.  I have seen where the client has a "son" who is a "genius" and will listen to anything this person says, and there is never a house that this "genius" will see as perfect for Mom & Dad.  When we run into this situation, there is almost nothing that can be done.  Let this client go fast.

Sally - Sometimes they need these people, and sometimes it just doesn't work out.  You're so right.

Happy New Year!

Nothing worse than one of those 'pros' coming along with prospective buyers on a showing.......ugh!

there is no question that the moniker of "expert" is both a benefit and a detrmiment. To me the startegy of pre-eminence is the most important...have others view you as an expert without actually advertising it

Sally, I've certainly come across my fair share of "Nosey Nellie's", but usually after I calmly point out the realities and inaccuracies of what they are saying the "True" buyer or seller listens to me.

I think this is good advise for dealing with this type of person.  Thanks for the post.

I've been through this miserable situation, too.

Sally-Sometimes people with the best of intentions can really mess up things for others.