Hi Richie & You 

     One of the first questions I ask when meeting potential Sellers (a potential Listing, including FSBO's), is "What other Realtors or Advisors have you talked with about selling this house?".

   When the answer is, "My cousin John is a Realtor with so-and-so Real Estate Company, we talked with him, he suggested this price",  I see a red flag.  Something isn't right. 

     Sure, they are a FSBO, trying to save the commission by DIY, but I ask them point blank, "Why didn't you list the property with him?"  Their answer will tell me whether to proceed with a listing presentation, or whether to bid them "Good Luck and Good Day".  

I wonder why they didn't hire their relative?

Either they will sell FSBO or they won't, and if they don't they'll probably be looking for a skilled real estate agent. Then they'll either hire their relative or someone they met who they feel will do a better job.

There's no way to know why people do what they do!

In my past experience, former FSBOs who come to me are very good clients. They understand that it is way harder than it looks, and they listen. Love when a FSBO calls for advice...I just keep asking them questions! 

They should hire a professional.  If they are already nervous, it will only get worse. 

I have NOT run into this situation Richie & You . Most FSBO owners have been very guarded about the entire process.

Pricing can be tricky, especially for non-professionals. Even if they consulted this illusory "relative", he or she probably didn't spend a lot of time on the advice (if any), if it was clear they were not going to be listing. As you probably know, most FSBO's wind up listing within 30 days or so. 

If I am that relative and not hired to list, there would be no advice. 

These people do not respect real estate agent as a profession.  They choose to go it alone, letting perfect strangers into their home and not knowing how to qualify a buyer nor willing to compensate those who do to help them in this process by providing qualified services.  

There would need to be a lot of assumptions to answer your question- so its really a guessing game. If I did have to guess- and using the assumption the relative is truly an agent- then I would say that the relative gave them a superficial idea of price- but unless the couple was willing to hire the relative- the relative didn't want to do any additional work (perhaps the relative knows enough about this couple that they do not want to do any more work than scratching the surface). 

They should hire their relative to sell the house.

I would hedge on giving any "free" advice if I am not their agent. 

Confused at best.  Is it in your best interest to give them advice.  then wipe the slate clean present them with the benefit of your experience and let them decide.  Run don't walk away if they are fixed on their decision.  Divorce the relative agent.  

No need for further comment, Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Real Estate Svcs. and I are on the same page.

Richie & You Sometimes FSBOs have to try it on their own. I have a past seller  who tried to sell his parcel by himself, I gave just a few pointers and nothing else. After a few months, he decided to list with me and the parcel sold. 

I have helped just two of my children purchase a home, waiting on the third when he is ready. They know that mom will look for their best interest.

The quality of agents varies so widely that you really cannot count on anyone having the important conversations with their agents.  My advice is to hire a great agent, not just the one you are related to, or the one that is in your friends group.

FSBOs often face more risks than they realise.

I would sell my local experience and knowledge and show the dangers of not know the real estate laws.  I would share statistice of how a homeowner selling on their own coste them money.  My last pitch is always to offer the relative a referral fee.

The relative might be agent in another state. I'd just ask if they interviewed any agents before going fsbo, and ask if they are paying a commission if an agent brings them a buyer just to get a better feel of what they're thinking.