I’m Not Your Friend… I Am Not Your Friend

Why today’s real estate market demands professionalism over friendship
By Paul Andres Domenech

“What’s the market like right now?” Hot or cold? Strong or weak? Good or bad?

Those questions dominate real estate conversations today. And while all of those descriptions can be debated, the truth is simple: “good” and “bad” are often just matters of perspective. What truly matters is how you respond to the conditions in front of you.

Real estate professionals are trained to study the past—comparable sales, trends, and historical data, to predict future value. When homes sell quickly and multiple offers are common, consistency feels comforting. It becomes our friend. But when the environment changes, that same consistency can quietly become a liability.

The past is not a guarantee of the future. What was once “the future” is now the past, and today’s market is clearly different. Homes are sitting longer. Price reductions are more frequent. Listings are expiring. This is not a broken market—it’s a changing one. And change exposes whether decisions are being made based on current conditions or outdated expectations.

Think of it like stepping back into a sport you once played. You may know the rules, but if you aren’t conditioned and in rhythm, jumping into competition can lead to costly mistakes. Real estate works the same way. Many people know the rules. Fewer are actively in the game, adjusting daily to the realities of today’s marketplace.

When conditions shift, it’s easy to label the moment as “bad.” But stormy weather doesn’t stop progress, it creates opportunity. While others wait for perfect conditions, those willing to adapt gain ground. Advantage is built in uncomfortable moments.

The key is operating in the present. Learn from the past. Act in the now. Prepare for what’s ahead.

This is where process matters most: Position, Preparation, Promotion, and Price. Markets should never be reduced to one-word labels like hot or cold. Perspective matters. What benefits one seller may challenge another. What truly matters is clarity around expectations and real-time market position.

The best way to gain that clarity is to work with someone who is actively in the game—someone showing up daily regardless of conditions. If an agent thrived only when everything felt easy, that doesn’t make today’s market “bad.” It simply means they were built for favorable conditions, not challenging ones.

Today’s environment is not built for friends.
Longer days on market.
More negotiation.
More strategy.
More accountability.

Kindness is appreciated, but kindness alone does not sell homes.

A real estate transaction exists to serve the client—not the agent. It requires the highest level of service, integrity, and professionalism. A true professional is not your friend. A true professional is your asset.

To create clarity when choosing representation, consider these four questions—the 4 P’s:

Position: Where is your agent positioned right now in the market? How many listings do they personally carry? How many are under contract? Results reveal real-time effectiveness—logos do not.

Preparation: What specific steps must be taken to position your home for the highest net in the shortest time? Preparation is not generic—it is strategic.

Promotion: How will your home stand out from every other option buyers are seeing? Visibility without distinction is noise.

Price: What will the home realistically sell for today? And if it doesn’t sell within 30 days, what is the adjustment strategy? Pricing should follow buyer behavior, not seller hope.

Confidence is not always comfortable, but it is clear. When you work with someone who is navigating the current market daily and producing consistent results, certainty replaces fear. The market is neither hot nor cold, it simply is.

You don’t need a friend.
You need an asset.

And when that asset earns trust through consistency, execution, and integrity, something stronger than friendship forms—a professional partnership built on results and mutual respect.

I may not be your friend on day one. But I will work to earn that title. And to the clients who trusted me and became friends along the way—thank you for the opportunity to serve you.