How do I say I don't want my sister in law as my realtor?

You could always ask your sister-in-law to refer a qualified agent with experience and she will still receive a referral fee

This is heavily dependent on your relationship and family dynamic. Selling your home is one of, if not the biggest financial decision you'll make in your lifetime. You wouldn't volunteer to be a friend's first root canal because they just graduated from dentistry school last month. Similarly, you wouldn't want a to be a lawyer's first court defense, even if they were your friend. Negotiating your home sale is no different. This is a tough one and if not handled firmly, and directly, it can hurt feelings and relationships. Setting expectations is the most important part of this situation. Option 1: If you just want to "help them out" there's always an option for your sister-in-law to give a referral to another realtor in your area that you choose. This way you still get the realtor you want and you're not stuck with a situation that could really turn sour should a deal fall apart with your SIL. If you go this route, make sure you let the agents you are interviewing know that you're requiring a referral fee of 10%, 15%, 25% etc to your sister in law. Option 2: Let them know that you plan to interview several agents with at least "X" years in the business and "X" sales under their belt. This will set the expectation up front that it's not a charity case, it's a job you're interviewing professional for.

You could say something like: I'm really proud of you for getting your license, that's a huge accomplishment. For this sale, we've decided to work with an agent who has more experience in the market, ensuring we position the home correctly and maximize our results. After the conversation I would give her a hug and support her in any other way to help grow her real estate business.

Hello! This is always a tricky situation. I am glad to hear you asking :) First, it’ is so completely reasonable to want experience on your side when selling your home. That’s a big financial decision, and it’s okay to prioritize that. At the same time, it makes sense wanting to use your sister-in-law and avoid any awkwardness. It sounds like it is not that you don't want to support your sister-in-law, but rather just want to make sure you are hiring experience, so you get the best representation possible. One option could be to bring both together. If your sister-in-law is working within a brokerage, you might ask if there’s a more seasoned agent she could partner with. You could say something like: “I really want to support you, and I’m so excited for you. At the same time, since this is such a big sale for us, I’d feel more comfortable having someone with more experience involved. Would you be open to partnering with a more seasoned agent in your office so we can have both?” That way, she’s included, gaining experience, and you have the added confidence of a seasoned professional. Another option—if you decide you’d prefer to work with a different agent—is to still support her through a referral. Many agents refer business to one another and are able to receive a referral fee (often 25–30%), which allows you to support her while working with someone you feel most comfortable with. While it is hard to talk about these types of situations with people, because we aren't here to hurt feelings, Honesty is your best path. I do see this as a wonderful opportunity for you to support someone starting a new career, and at the same time take care of your concerns and needs throughout the sale. Also, you would have a team, which is wonderful in the process, too. It’s a tough and very thoughtful question, and the fact that you’re considering both the relationship and the outcome says a lot! With more exploration, I think you could have it! :)