Melissa Krchnak

By Melissa Krchnak

You’re really lucky if this hasn’t gone down with a friend before:

Friend: Melissa, can you answer this mildly vague real estate question? *insert excitement*

Melissa: Of course, Friend. I’m happy to help with all of your real estate needs.

Friend: Awesome! So, we’re buying this house and our agent said… *insert face palm*

Have you ever had that go down? And, you know what killed me? The next time I saw them:

Friend: Hey, Friend 2, have you met our REALTOR®, Melissa? *your REALTOR®, Melissa?!?!?!*

That’s right. I’m happy to accept the title as *their* REALTOR® even though I — and I really do blame myself — missed the boat on helping them with their purchase.

You want to know a dirty, little secret? I didn’t think they were financially ready to purchase. That was such a valuable lesson. Not only did I learn I needed to get better at my follow-up/touches/dripping, I learned that I shouldn’t judge or assume anything about my clients (or my friends), including what I believe they can or cannot afford.

If you’ve yet to have a friend use someone else, please heed this lesson and learn from my mistake. I’m glad I was able to help my friend with her purchase. I just wish I would’ve been one of the REALTORS® getting paid at the end of the day.

Melissa Krchnak is the assistant team leader for Keller Williams Realty in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Connect with her at kwrancho.com.