Choosing an Agent Because They’re a Friend or Family Member

While helping a friend or relative sounds nice, selling your home is often your largest financial transaction, and you need the most experienced, qualified professional available—not someone learning on your dime. Good intentions often lead to bad results when friends or family don’t know your local market, make rookie mistakes, share too much about your personal situation, fumble deals costing you thousands, or disappear when complications arise. Suddenly you’ve lost money and damaged the relationship, creating tension lasting years and making family gatherings awkward. Friends and family often know personal financial details that can slip out during conversations with buyer agents, accidentally weakening your negotiating power and costing you significantly. If you’re feeling pressure to hire someone you know, try this honest line: “I really value our relationship, and I’d never want something like a real estate deal to put that at risk.” Choose your agent based on experience, reputation, local knowledge, and negotiation skills—not blood ties or friendships. This protects both your equity and your personal relationships from the stress and potential conflicts that arise when business deals go wrong between people who care about each other.