Annoying family members

The funny thing for me as a Loan Officer I have family members that will consult me, use me, and refer me actively and yet others who will not regardless of what I do.  I call it the scientist syndrom.  As long as your relatives know what you do for a living and talk to you about real estate it is positive.  I would suggest sending all of them any marketing/farming/newsletter material as you get send them out.

Certain professions have that, like it or not, as part of the way it is. Doctors get asked medical questions, lightly of course and in general terms, lawyers always get asked what the neighbor can do about the noisy dog, etc, home inspectors get asked about home problems, electricians get asked electricial questions, plumbers get asked about drips and drains and water pressure and those things. And, realtors of course get asked all sorts of questions about buying, selling, real estate investment, market conditions, property values. I think it just comes with the territory, in certain interesting fields. In my view, it is best to nicely and briefly answer the question and move on. This talk usually shifts before long. I have, in the past, had some of this "curious" conversation turn into business.

At least it's an interesting topic for people.  The above post is right.  My husband is an electrician and he gets asked questions all the time.  It's good for business.

Ghandi,

It seems like every party I go to is a local unlicensed real estate professional. I would not say I try to "school them", but I do want to let them I am knowledgeable!

There is a gene on the human DNA, particularly male DNA, that makes everybody an expert in real estate.  I've been in the biz since 1984 and I'm the only guy that I know that doesn't have that gene!

 

Bob Mitchell

ValueList

 

You simply just need to know the facts and figures about your career choice, and let them know the truth about the industry.  Once you have armed yourself with the right responses they will be left speechless and hopefully start sending you referrals!

If I had to make a living off family and their non-existent referrals I would be in the soup line. Thank God for strangers that want to buy property!

Ghandi, in my early days in real estate my parents tried to get me to think about going into something with a more reliable income.  If you're making your living doing what you enjoy in life, just take these comments like water off a duck's back. 

Most people are just curious, or trying to show you how much they know.  If you think about it, the fact that the know-it-alls are trying to impress you is a kind of compliment!

Yes sometimes people can be annoying when they ask you how many houses do you sell in a month.You may try to be evasive and say it varies , and they will still keep on asking.They think that since they are close friends they have a right to know.They do not give any referrals though.

Yes at every party there is atleast one person who wants to get into Real estate and one who has a license in escrow.