Friends and family can be on our phone plans, they can be at our family events, and they can be the ones to give advice when purchasing. The last combination can be deadly to a real estate transaction. Recently I had a buyer who wanted to see a property for the second time and she wanted to bring a male friend along for a second set of eyes. He was not the type of friend who reinforced her decision but rather he questioned every part of the house. He wondered why a certain brand of windows was chosen when he thought X was a better brand. He would not have laid the ceramic tiles in that direction, but he would have gone this way. I had to bite my tongue as he dissected the house. I causally asked him what he did for a living, and he told me he was a graphic designer. I chatted some more and asked him if he had done remodeling. He told me he has bought one house and he has not done much to it. This was the expert that was helping the buyer make her decision. After completing the rounds she turned to him and asked him what he thought. I held my breath and made eye contact with him. I wondered what he would say. He said, "Well, I don't know much about houses but I guess this one is okay." She then asked me and I said," You best know if the house meets your needs. You will hire an inspector to find out the "health" of the house. Remember, this house was built in 1930 and there have been several families that have lived here and made changes. They are not here to tell us why they did what. As long as they did not reduce the integrity of the house, I think you will be fine." She has written an offer and now will see what that inspector says. Friends and family should be supportive, but they must be careful not to overstep their bounds when they do not have the credentials to do so. Being a friend can mean we think the ugly house they have fallen in love with is just grand.
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