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David Barr (Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Florida Realty)

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Rainmaker
140,768
Joan Dickie
Keller Williams Premier Realty - La Crosse, WI
Keller Williams Premier Realty

I would prefer to have just them on the first visit, so I could get to know them without interference. I would let them come along. Maybe you will,get to know their preferences faster hearing them talk with their friends.

One other thought. Maybe they are very introverted people and they want their friends along so they don't feel so uncomfortable with just you.

Dec 23, 2015 01:05 AM
Rainmaker
292,685
Jack Lewitz
Exit Strategy Realty - Evanston, IL

I say flexibility is the name of the game. I have no problem with this with a first meeting and will woo them over during the time we are together.

Dec 23, 2015 02:36 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Being formerly active in a 2nd home market environment it's not uncommon for this to occur and I had no issues with "tag along" friends. One of my favorite sayings though in this circumstance goes somewhat like this,  guests of guests may not have guests! There are limitiations David. 

Dec 23, 2015 03:17 AM
Rainer
231,224
Mike Rock
Complete Design - Granite Bay, CA
Granite Bay Luxury New Construction...For Less

to my way of thinking, and many years of hard knocks experience. if the buyer needs "help" that means that 1) the other person is way overbearing or 2) the buyer is incapable of making decisions on their own. either way its not good. and it only gets worse if you do get in contract my line, of "oh, i didnt realize you will be living with the buyer" will give them a hint. but doesnt help much. good call to get it done early on.

Dec 23, 2015 01:35 AM
Rainmaker
1,239,801
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

I suggest just you and clients. This will not work..... Been there before.

Too many cooks in the kitchen....

Dec 23, 2015 12:58 AM
Rainer
150,416
Michael Thacker - Re/Max Real Estate Center - Louisville
Re/Max Real Estate Center - The Thacker Group - Louisville, KY
Your best friend who just happens to be a Realtor

I have had tag-a-alongs, only for my buyers to realize that after one time out, they don't want their friends to join them on future trips. Its funny, but it always works that way.

Dec 23, 2015 03:47 AM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

I rarely have a tag along, but I welcome them.

What is worse, is when the friend does not tag along but later they have a  "Know it all" opinion which is not in sync with the reality of the real estate market. 

Eve

Dec 23, 2015 03:32 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I'd certainly go the first time to meet a client. Some people need entourage  till they know you better and trust you. 

Dec 23, 2015 03:25 AM
Rainmaker
432,957
Shanna Hall
Real Estate Solutions - Kirkwood, MO
I love selling houses!!!St. Louis, MO 314-703-1311

Take them once- usually the tag alongs annoy them more than they annoy you- So it really depends on price range- it is worth 4 hours of your time to figure it out?

Dec 23, 2015 02:53 AM
Rainmaker
400,356
Jill Murty, Realtor - Orange County, CA
Movoto - Laguna Niguel, CA

It can go either way.  Sometimes the tag alongs throw up roadblocks and other times, they lend support.

I'd go out with them at least once to assess the situation.  It could be that their friends are supportive and may be thinking of following their friends to move to the area as well and want to get a preview. 

Dec 23, 2015 01:23 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,213
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

No fan of tag alongs! Tend to become authorative "Uncle Louie's" with poor advice!

Dec 23, 2015 01:09 AM
Ambassador
6,392,899
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

If anyone is going to influence their buying decision, I want them along right from the start, saves time and repeated steps later.

Dec 23, 2015 01:58 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

If they have tag alongs, it could be a pain, or the taggers could be possible buyers down the road.  I call them The Advisory Committee, and I'll suck up - it's gotten me some great referrals in the past.

Dec 23, 2015 11:33 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I don't mind...If family are going to be part of the search prcess and often are, let them mess up a sale before I write the contract

Dec 23, 2015 08:43 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,349
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

It depends if the tag alongs are part of the decision process.  In that case I want them to attend.  Otherwise no they just suck the oxygen out of the room.

Dec 23, 2015 06:52 AM
Rainmaker
212,755
Stefan Winter
Real Estate in IL & NV | Owner of Real Estate Web Tech | Daily Vlogger - Las Vegas, NV
Owner - Winter Group & Real Estate Web Tech

I take tag alongs all the time, not prefered, but a lot of people like that feedback for some reason. At times the tag along has sold the house far easier than I did.

Dec 23, 2015 06:43 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

David,

You are right that quite often the friends are "expert critics".  There is no doubt about that.  And sometimes, friends are enthusiastic advocates and very supportive.  Certain cultures bring the whole family along.  We just have to relax and go with the flow.  A

Dec 23, 2015 06:36 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

No problem. Keep the size to not more than two friends (must respect the home owner).  

I'll make them fall in love with the lifestyle offered in the Sunshine State.

Sell them all a house. 

And my cost for these referrals?

The first trip is seldom the buying trip.

 

Dec 23, 2015 01:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,056
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Deal killers, you mean? ;)
I like to do a 1-time recon with res. prospectives. So they can see if they like me, and v/v. Bring your friends, if they are also looking to buy and do not have an agent. :)
That is strike one for them.

Dec 23, 2015 01:16 AM
Rainmaker
4,935,556
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I had the same situation last month and the tag along talked them out of more homes. 

Dec 23, 2015 01:14 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

If they know the neighborhood it may be a good thing towards a sale.

Dec 23, 2015 01:01 AM
Rainmaker
516,337
Brenda J. Andrew
ULTIMA REAL ESTATE - Willis, TX
Professional Realtor in Conroe/Willis, TX

I haven't had any issues if they have tag along friends with them during the showing.  For the most part, it actually worked out better when they did.  Good luck!

Dec 24, 2015 01:46 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,372
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I would recomment on the first day/days out to just be the true buyers, and if they find homes they love, return with their friends.

Dec 23, 2015 10:32 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I don't mind tag-alongs. Have often sold a home afterwards to the tag-alongs or even before I sold one to the original prospect.

Dec 23, 2015 10:11 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,896
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

It does happen and it sounds like this as to be a fishing expedition.  Some prospects never buy, but others may take a few years. We just provide them the info they want and offer our assistance.

Dec 23, 2015 10:10 PM
Rainmaker
1,525,616
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

I don't really object to friends or family coming along to view the house that the buyer like after the buyers have narrowed it down to one or two.

Dec 23, 2015 09:42 AM
Rainmaker
7,835,272
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I really do not care who they bring with them if they are qualified and serious prospects.

Dec 23, 2015 06:50 AM
Rainmaker
900,008
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

I don't like tag-alongs as they seriously muddy the waters with their "advice", but I wouldn't turn them away. Sounds like it could be a tourist visit; never know.

Dec 23, 2015 06:37 AM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

I've had some good experiences when a friend accompanied the buyers, David. It doesn't happen often but I can't recall a time when it was a negative.

Dec 23, 2015 06:01 AM