There’s only one answer to the question, “Is it okay to be friends with your real estate agent?” The answer is yes. Yes, yes, and more yes!
As an agent, there’s nothing more heartbreaking than when a friend or family member buys or sells with another agent. We’ve heard it all:
“We don’t mix business with pleasure.”
“I don’t want to ruin our friendship.”
“What if something goes wrong?”
“I’m just a really difficult client, and I don’t want to subject you to my pickiness.”
We’re here to bust the myth and tell you not only is it POSSIBLE to be friends with your real estate agent (or use a family member), but it’s most likely to YOUR BENEFIT. Here’s why.
Buying or selling real estate is usually one of the biggest purchases of your personal life. You want to hire someone who has your best interest at heart. This is one of the fiduciary duties of an agent, and any agent worth their salt honors their duties with integrity. But let’s be honest: not all agents are created equal. Sure, you might think bypassing using your friend or family member as your agent will save you headaches in the future. But we’ve seen the opposite, and our proof is in the pudding.
In our group, we’ve personally seen friendships grow stronger. We’ve seen our very own brokers build a deeper-level foundation of loyalty with their relationships. Working with a professional is just as much about developing rapport and trust as it is about buying or selling a home. Your agent is the person who is working for you day and night. Your agent is that person who is constantly thinking about your wants and needs, and working the magic to make that happen.
Your agent is the one who goes above and beyond the call of duty. If that doesn’t border on friendship, we don’t know what else does. So unless you’re in the need of making a new “friend”, who you have zero history with, we suggest giving your friend (or family member!) a shot.
