Don’t Take Advice from Friends Who Don’t Know if They Got Ripped Off

This one’s tricky, because it’s personal — but it’s something buyers really need to hear.

We all love getting advice from friends and family, especially when it comes to something as big as buying a home. And when someone close to you recommends a real estate agent, lender, or other professional, it’s natural to think, “Well, they had a great experience — I’ll go with them too.”

But here’s the truth that most people don’t want to admit:

Most people have no idea if they got a great deal — or got totally overcharged.

What they do know is how “nice” everyone was.

Perception Isn’t Proof

Your friend probably believes they got a great deal because:

• Their agent told them they did
• The lender told them they did
• The title company told them they did
• Everyone in the transaction reassured them they did

And nobody wants to say, “I think I got taken advantage of.” That’s human nature.
It’s a matter of pride. People want to believe they did well — and they want to share that confidence with you.

But here’s what most people don’t realize:

• They didn’t shop around.
• They didn’t know what to compare.
• They didn’t understand the costs.
• They trusted the professionals to explain it all.

According to industry data, at least 30% of buyers overpay for something in their transaction — whether it’s the mortgage, title fees, home insurance, inspection charges, or other add-on costs. And most of them don’t even know it.

“They Were So Nice…” Is Not a Guarantee

Here’s what we hear all the time:

“Oh, my agent was great — so friendly and helpful!”
“The lender was amazing — got me through everything smoothly!”
“The inspector was awesome — super easy to work with!”

Those are all good things… but they don’t mean the person was actually good at their job.
And they certainly don’t mean you’re going to get the same results — or that you’re getting the best deal possible.

The truth is: Most people only buy or sell a home once or twice in their life.
That doesn’t make them experts. And they don’t know what they don’t know.

So while referrals are helpful, you still need to ask:

• How many deals has this agent really closed?
• How do their rates or fees compare with others?
• What tools or protections did they actually give their clients?

House Karma Helps You Verify What Really Matters

We’re not saying don’t trust your friends or family — we’re saying trust, but verify.

At House Karma, we give you the tools to:

• Compare real interest rates and lender fees
• Shop title insurance rates side-by-side
• Vet inspectors and agents with the right questions
• Avoid getting upsold on services you don’t need

We’ll help you figure out if you’re paying too much — and show you how to protect yourself every step of the way.