Is a Family Realtor a Good Idea?

Dated: December 31 2024

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Should You Use a Family Member as Your Real Estate Agent?

When buying or selling a home, working with a family member as your real estate agent can seem like a convenient and personal choice. But is it the best decision for your situation? Here are some pros and cons to consider:

Pros:

  • Trust & Familiarity: You already know and trust them, which can make communication easier.
  • Personalized Care: A family member may go above and beyond to ensure your satisfaction.
  • Shared Goals: Their success directly benefits someone you care about, creating mutual motivation.

Cons:

  • Emotional Tension: Real estate transactions can be stressful, and conflicts might strain family relationships.
  • Professional Boundaries: Mixing business and family can blur the lines, making it harder to have objective discussions.
  • Skill Mismatch: Just because they’re family doesn’t mean they’re the right fit for your specific needs or area. This is a big one in my opinion. They just may not be very good at their job. 

Ultimately, it’s important to evaluate their expertise, local market knowledge, and professionalism before deciding. If you choose to work together, set clear expectations to ensure both your family bond and real estate goals stay intact!

What do you think—would you hire a family member as your agent? Let me know in the comments! (Happy New Year to you all as well!)

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Jeff Johnston

​Jeff was born in Denison, IA and then moved to Ames while attending Iowa State University. He has seen many changes in the Des Moines metro since moving there in 2000. Clive has been his home city ....

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