Family, Friends & Real Estate Listings! Lets discuss the best ways to approach this sensitive subject.

Let me preface this blog by stating that I am not a RE expert. My opinions on this subject are derived from the fact that a large % of everyone I am related to is in the RE Industry and, due to that, half the people that I know are in it as well. I just hope that my opinions can spur further conversation about the topic being discussed. Thanks.

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The best possible way to get a listing from friends and/or family is to ask them for it. If someone you know is about to, or even contemplating, putting their home on the market - go right up to them and ask them if they would consider listing their house with you (while handing them two of your business cards - one for them and one for someone that they may know who needs a listing agent). If they seem at all responsive to your request, take a few more minutes and give them a detailed description of how you plan to market their listing and why you believe that you would be the best Realtor to assist them.

When it comes time to list - they will not only remember that you asked them for their business (so to speak) - But they will also be much more inclined to offer you the business - simply because you showed an interest in assisting them. If you don't ask, you will likely never get their business. If you do ask, you are much more likely to have them give you a call at listing decision time.

However, there are times when allowing others close to you to fully delve into your finances is not a situation that a seller might welcome. Lets say you have asked someone for their business/listing and three weeks later you find out that they have gone with a different agent. When this happens, do not get angry with them as there is almost always a valid reason for this.

If you asked them for their listing and they did not give it to you - they will often feel obligated to tell you why they went with another agent. If they don't ever mention it - it was most likely because of their comfort level in sharing their finances - or the shame of showing you the financial horror that they have to deal with every day.

To proactively counter the situation described above. If, when you are initially asking a friend/family member for their business and you feel that there is some immediate hesitation at your requesting their business, explain to them that you understand that sometimes people are not comfortable sharing their financial information with friends/family and that you can respect that decision. Then make sure to offer to assist them in finding the Next best possible agent to assist them. Usually when this situation takes place, a good Realtor will be able to easily negitiate a small part of the commision in return for the referral. In the future - you may find that even though they did not use you - they will gladly refer other business your way because of your candor with them during your previous interactions with them.

Thanks for reading my blog - I hope I have been of assistance to at least one person.

Best Regards,

Neil E. Broten

As always - don't forget to list all of your listings with me on www.Ubadoo.com.

For a Limited Time Only: Unlimited branded listings with unlimited linked photos - ALL FREE - for two months - email me to find out how. neil@ubadoo.com