Why You Shouldn’t Use a Random Real Estate Agent (when you want to Live Near Friends)
If you’re dreaming of buying a home near your favorite people—or even co-owning a place together—a regular real estate agent probably isn’t enough.
And yet, most people click around on Zillow/Redfin etc, get matched with whoever responds fastest, and hope for the best. Or they work with some random person their cousin knows.
We think you deserve better.
Live Near Friends has licensed real estate agents who specialize in helping people buy homes or build property together. That means we offer everything a typical agent does—plus a whole lot more.
What You Get with a Regular Agent:
- Property tours
- Offer negotiation
- Paperwork and closing support
- That’s... often it
What You Get with a Live Near Friends Agent:
- ✅ All of the above plus...
- ✅ Discounts on legal services for co-ownership, LLCs, shared trusts, and more
- ✅ Lender matchmaking for co-buying and Fractional loans
- ✅ 10+ hours of post-purchase consulting: group agreements, repair planning, ADU Assessment
- ✅ A real estate partner who understands your group's goals
- ✅ A team that’s helped dozens of people make their “friend compound” dreams real
Real Story: From Dream to Compound
Take Xander and Colby, who dreamed of creating a friend compound in Berkeley. They partnered with Max Nelson, a Live Near Friends agent, who went above and beyond—securing a property that was already under contract by negotiating a backup offer.
Max also helped them model rental income, plan renovations, and set up systems that made their investment feel solid and sustainable. Now, they’re set to live in one unit and rent the others to friends—building the community they envisioned.
Already Working with Another Agent?
That’s totally fine—we’re happy to collaborate with agents who truly understand shared living and co-buying. No awkwardness, just alignment.
Here’s how it works:
- If you stick with your current agent, we can often request a referral bonus—which lets us give you Live Near Friends consulting and co-ownership support at no extra cost to you.
- If you decide to switch and work exclusively with us, we can offer a rebate at closing—up to $5,000—as a thank-you for choosing a partner who gets your vision. Put that toward a hot tub or shared garden, not your agent’s new Lexus.
Pro tip: Just because you’ve toured a couple homes with someone doesn’t mean you’re locked in. You deserve the agent who’ll get you the best outcome on the biggest purchase of your life.
And Here's the Best Part:
There’s no additional cost to working with us compared to a traditional agent.
You get:
- The same standard commission structure
- Deeper experience in these types of transactions
- Extra planning tools, creative financing support, co-buying, and development expertise
You wouldn’t plan a big group trip using a travel agent who’s never left the country. So why buy a home—especially with friends—without someone who gets your vision?
And unlike agents chasing the next commission check, we’re here to help you build the life you really want.
We’re invested in your long-term success—because living near your people shouldn’t just be a dream.
Ready to Start?
Whether you’re actively searching or just getting curious, let’s talk. We can help you:
- Figure out what’s possible
- Create a plan with your people
- Get started, without pressure
📅 Book a free consult 📥 Or email hello@livenearfriends.com —we’d love to hear what you’re dreaming up.
PS: Not sure what to look for in an agent? 👉 Check out our guide: How to Pick a Realtor If You Want to Live Near Friends
