When I'm your friend I'm the type of person that I'm your friend to the end. That's just the kind of person I am. But please don't use me just because I'm your friend and a REALTOR®.
I had an email the other day from a friend I use to work with... it went something like this:
"Hi, can I pick your brain? We're selling the mother-in-laws house (for sale by owner) but the guy next door is a real estate agent and he says he can get $100,000 for it with 6% commission. Is that the going rate? Can you tell me what it's worth? Just need info now HELP!"
Well let's face it, I am a sucker for the word HELP, especially if it's in capital letters and BOLD!
I responded telling her that I needed to know information about the house, subdivision, condition, how's the roof, furnace and a/c, etc. I basically gave her the information she needed to figure out the worth of the home, but I'm learning a valuable lesson.
The next e-mail went as follows: "Thanks, I didn't know it but when I got home this evening my husband decided to go with the agent next door."
I feel as friends and REALTORS® we need to be strong and be able to make boundaries with our friends.
I guess my feeling is they get paid for their work, I get paid for mine. The general public that I work with and develop long lasting relationships with (and some become great friends) pay for my work/knowledge so why should it be any different for my friends?
I'm considering developing a "friends" personal policy..... it's called, "Sure I can help you... my hourly rate is $_______."
What's your opinion on this.... and do you have friends like this? Are you a weenie too when it comes to saying no?
I love Kansas City Real Estate and I love my friends...but I must draw the line in the future.
Fran White, REALTOR®
Reece and Nichols Residential
816-682-3897
www.kansascity-realestate.net
www.franwhite.reeceandnichols.com
I feel your pain.
We call this unpaid consulting, and it hurts.
Draw a line and stick to it. It is one thing to really "help" someone, and another to be taken for granted.
A good way to explain this to a friend is ask if they will do your taxes for you for free. This of course works if your friend is an accountant. If your friend is a nurse, ask them if they will treat your child for free the next time he or she is sick. You get the idea, and so will they.
Good Luck!
Robert: You are absolutely correct!
BB: Funny man... I can't imagine a guy like you not having zillions of friends. :)
These same people will be the first to tell you they are underpaid and un-appreciated by their employers. Mortgage lenders have the same problem. Please consider reading my blog on this subject.
Greg Z.
http://localism.com/article/129073/The-Myth-of-the-No-Cost
Chris: You are so right, in fact you just NAILED this person. Amazing isn't it?
Greg: Good point, another characteristic of this person.
Thanks for stopping by gentlemen.