TOP 5 People You Shouldn’t Take Real Estate Advice From

When it comes to real estate, everyone suddenly becomes an expert. Your cousin who “almost” bought a condo in 2010, your friend who binge-watches HGTV, or that one uncle who always has an opinion—everyone has something to say. But should you listen? Absolutely not. Here are the top five people you should never take real estate advice from.

1. The “Google Expert”

They read one article online and now think they know the market better than a seasoned real estate agent. Sure, Google is great for looking up property listings, but unless the algorithm has suddenly started holding open houses and negotiating deals, let’s leave the actual market insights to the professionals.

2. The “It Was Different in My Day” Relative

Your aunt bought a house for $150,000 in the ‘90s and thinks the market still works the same way. “Just save up a little and buy a house,” she says, as if that’s remotely possible in today’s market. Inflation, interest rates, and demand have all changed, and so should the advice.

3. The “Social Media Investor”

They watched a TikTok on “how to buy a mansion with zero down” and now think they’ve cracked the code to real estate success. The problem? Most of these so-called “hacks” leave out critical details like taxes, fees, and, oh yeah, actual mortgage approval. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

4. The “Perpetual Renter-Turned-Advisor”

They’ve never owned property, but they have plenty of advice on what you should do. “Wait for the crash,” they say. “Buy in cash,” they add. Meanwhile, they’ve been waiting for “the right time” since 2008. If they haven’t navigated a real estate deal themselves, their advice isn’t worth much more than their rent receipt.

5. The “Doomsday Prophet”

According to them, the market is always about to collapse. They've been calling for a crash since the early 2000s, and yet, here we are—prices still climbing. While real estate cycles do exist, blindly listening to doomsday predictions will have you sitting on the sidelines forever.

The Bottom Line

Real estate is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make, so take advice from experienced professionals, not part-time theorists. When in doubt, consult a qualified agent, mortgage expert, or financial advisor—not your buddy who thinks watching "Selling Sunset" makes them a market guru.