I’ve been in real estate for 30 years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: nothing surprises me anymore.
This business is incredibly personal. You’re not just negotiating contracts—you’re helping people navigate major life transitions. And when it comes to working with friends and family, those lines can easily blur. It can be a deeply rewarding experience, but also one of the most challenging aspects of this career.
At first, it feels like an honor when someone close to you asks for your help. There’s a sense of trust, loyalty, and mutual understanding. But as many seasoned agents will tell you, working with friends in real estate is often a double-edged sword.
There’s often an unspoken expectation—"the friend deal." Whether it’s cutting the commission, offering endless free advice, or being on call around the clock, it can quickly become unbalanced. And while I’m always happy to help, the reality is:
👉 Real estate is my full-time profession.
👉 This is how I provide for my family.
👉 My time is my most valuable asset.
This isn’t a hobby. It’s 24/7. It’s working weekends. It’s answering calls during dinner. It’s managing emotions during a deal that could fall apart at any moment. And while I give my all to this business, I’ve learned that boundaries are healthy and necessary—even with the people closest to me.
And here's another reality: if the transaction goes sour, it can strain the friendship, potentially leading to resentment, misunderstandings, or long-term damage to the relationship. I’ve seen it happen too many times—sometimes to me, sometimes to other agents. That’s why, in some cases, I’ve chosen to protect the relationship instead of taking the business.
In fact, I recently turned down a huge listing because I knew in my heart it was going to be extremely difficult working with this particular friend. I valued our friendship over a commission check. That decision gave me peace—and a reminder of why I do what I do.
Real estate has never been about the money for me. It’s always been about people. It’s a fun, creative way to navigate a maze of emotions, personalities, legal paperwork, and last-minute chaos just to arrive at the closing table. Then, if we’re lucky, we get to post a nice clean "JUST SOLD!" photo on Instagram.
But let’s be honest: the general public only sees the Instagram highlight reel. They don’t see the 47 late-night texts, the inspection drama, the appraisal rollercoaster, the financing freak-out, or the "Did they really just ghost us?!" moments.
Real estate is NOT easy—especially these days. It takes grit, creativity, empathy, and more patience than a kindergarten teacher during recess. But somehow, I still love it.
And here’s the truth I’ve come to embrace: every difficult thing that happens in life and in business is a learning tool. Each challenge is a test, a teaching moment, and a reminder to protect your peace, your time, and your values. I’ve had my share of stressful situations—and while I wouldn’t want to repeat most of them, they always end up bringing value. Sometimes the best lessons wear a disguise called chaos. I welcome the challenges, because I know that each one is preparing me for the next level—in both life and business.
In the early years of my career, I took it personally when friends didn’t use me. I’d ask myself, "Why not me? Don’t they trust me?" But in my 40s, I learned to let go of those expectations. Not every friend is meant to be a client—and that’s okay.
In fact, here's the ironic part:
The people I’ve met through real estate—total strangers at first—are often the most loyal.
They value my work. They respect my time. They trust my guidance. And many of them have become some of my closest friends today.
It’s been one of the greatest and most unexpected blessings of this career: real estate has introduced me to incredible people who treat me with kindness and appreciation from day one. And because of that, I’m no longer chasing every deal—I’m choosing the people and relationships that align with how I want to do business.
If I sense that someone is going to be high-maintenance, overly demanding, or doesn’t value what I bring to the table, I have no hesitation in walking away. Because peace of mind is worth more than any paycheck.
I’ve also been burned more times than I can count. So was my father—someone I deeply admire. I once asked him how he handled betrayal or disappointment in business, and he told me:
"Yes, it bothers me. But I’ll never stop doing the right thing. I serve people because that’s what God calls me to do."
That stuck with me. His integrity—no matter the cost—became the foundation for how I run my business today.
It’s also why I’m so grateful to be in business with my partner, Wayne Kirby, here at The Agency Oklahoma. Wayne and I are 100% aligned in both our business values and our faith. We’ve built our professional lives around a shared commitment: to always put others’ needs ahead of our own, and to never waiver from doing what is right. In a world where compromise and shortcuts are common, we’ve chosen a path that honors people above profits—and we believe that will always lead to the best outcome.
So here’s what I know for sure:
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People may disappoint you.
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Friends may not always support you in the way you hoped.
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Money and business can complicate even the strongest relationships.
But I will always strive to be someone who is fair, honest, and grounded in doing the right thing, regardless of how others treat me.
"Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool." — Proverbs 19:1
That verse reminds me that success isn’t about how many deals I close—it’s about how I carry myself through each one.
Here’s to the next 30 years—to better boundaries, deeper relationships, and never compromising integrity for the sake of a deal.
May we all continue to grow from our challenges, stand firm in our values, and keep choosing people over profit.
Because at the end of the day, this business isn’t just about closing deals—it’s about building trust, creating impact, and living a life of meaning and purpose
– Wyatt Poindexter
The Agency Oklahoma
📞 405-417-5466
🌐 www.WyattPoindexter.com
