Hiring a Friend or Family Member

“Your Cousin Might Be Great — But Are They the Right Realtor?”

Selling your home is emotional, no question about it. But it’s also one of the biggest financial moves you’ll ever make. And one of the most common mistakes I see homeowners make here in Corona and across the Inland Empire is this: hiring a friend or family member simply because you know them.

Maybe your nephew just earned his real estate license. Maybe your cousin is trying to kick-start their career. Maybe your best friend “does real estate on the side.” And look, that’s wonderful for them. But when it comes to selling your home, familiarity doesn’t equal expertise.

Your home deserves an agent who lives and breathes the local market — someone who understands buyer behavior in Corona, knows what today’s sellers are competing against, and has the marketing strategy to help your home stand out. This isn’t just about putting a sign in the yard. It’s about pricing correctly, presenting the home beautifully, and negotiating like your equity depends on it. Because it does.

A friend or family member may care about you deeply, but that can actually make things harder. It’s tough to have honest conversations about pricing strategy, repairs, staging, or offers when emotions are involved. And hesitation or inexperience can cost you time, money, and peace of mind.

I’ve seen sellers lose thousands simply because they didn’t want to upset someone they love. But a true professional will never take it personally if you choose the agent who’s best qualified — in fact, they’ll encourage it.

At the end of the day, hiring a Realtor isn’t a loyalty decision. It’s a results decision.
You wouldn’t choose a surgeon just because they’re related to you — you’d choose the one with the strongest experience and the highest success rate.

Your home deserves that same level of care.

If you’re thinking about selling in Corona or anywhere in Riverside County, choose the person who will protect your equity, guide you with confidence, and deliver the results you deserve. And if you’d like a truly professional, local, data-driven experience, Diana Renee Homes is here to help.