While we don't work together in the RE business, my husband and I have worked together in other ventures and for us, it worked very well. 

It takes finely honed communication skills, honesty, mutual respect, maturity, comparable work ethic and dedication to the business.  

In other words, the same things you need to have a successful marriage.  

My husband has a license in case I need him to get access to a home or show a home at a last minute request. But beyond the occassional showing and doing my books, I do not truly "work" with my spouse. We are not suited to working together... he is a retired CEO of large banks and likes to think he's the boss, when in my real estate practice I am the boss.

     My wife was an active Realtor with Century 21, for two years.  Since then she has been my office manager/assistant/partner/coordinator/public relations director/etc. 

    As Susan Haughton said, in order for this to work out, you need to do the things that make for a successful marriage.

We do.  Advice....honestly, we personally found that we did better having our own clients and staying out of each other's way and only helping when the other asked for help and gave instructions.  In our early years we worked next to each other, but hardly ever worked WITH each other (didn't really share clients, didn't go on listing appointments together, etc). Now I'm the designated broker and so we have clearly defined our roles, which are pretty different.   One big thing is try to learn to shut it off, not have your whole life about work - when you are together don't always talk about work, in the evening try to stop working.   You are together all the time, but it's not good quality together time, so make sure there is good quality not work related together time too. -Kasey

This is a great question. My husband and I worked together years ago as agents. It was tough because I tried to have him simply assists where-ever I needed the help BUT that did not work.

Now he's back in high-tech. We still work together a little BUT the best advice I can give you is to have your spouse do ONLY the things he/she enjoys and is really good at it. And you do the same....This way everyone wins!! My husband does mostly the IT for me and the real estate sign placements and removals.  That's it and it works well :)

I work with my daughter and I need to remember to NOT play mother....but my daughter has no problem with including my name and that I'm her mother when communicating with clients....  

My husband is a general contractor - which is why I became a real estate agent. He is actively involved with my work, however, in helping with the website, creative marketing advice, and general "help me with..." assistance. I couldn't do it without him.

My bride was my assistant from 2007-2011 and our rule was at work, I'm her employer and I treated her with the same proprieties of an employee. When we got in the car to go home, we were husband and wife and no shop talk was allowed until we returned to the office. She also returned to being the boss. That part worked well. Overall, she didn't like real estate and that was the short sale years so who could blame her? Agents were rude and business was intense.

Yes. Agree on the division of tasks.

Yes - 12 years now!

It can be very trying, but if you are both completely honest with each other it works out fine.

One thing I recommend is to find areas of strenth which you do NOT share and each of you take on the tasks related to that strength and trust each other completely in those tasks

My husband helps me as well and I can't think of anyone that I'd rather work with! We work well together in marriage and in work! 

Simply respect one another, be a good listener and never 'pull rank' on your spouse!  Always let them know you are grateful for their input/help.

She helps out after her real job as a teacher, and has for the past 30 years.

Best assistant I have ever had, but she does not ever want to give up her real job so I have to settle for having her working with us part time.

Wearing hats is recommended and taking them off when you get home wise

No we don't

Learn to communicate without anger.

Many years ago our plan was to do that but it never came to fruition. Each have your separate responsibilities.

Nathan Gesner I did when I first got into real estate. We never had any problems.

Yes, Roger and I are 'Team Angeloni' Nathan Gesner, and we work together on a daily basis.  Advice is tough to give, not knowing the personalities involved.  Do you compliment each other or do you compete with each other.  What might help is, if one of you is strong in one area, to work that area, while the other person might be strong in a different area, so they should work that area.  Go with your strengths.  Remember to share what is happening with clients and texts and emails.  Each person should try to be the other's 'better half'.  If one is responsible for paperwork and deadlines, the other could be responsible for open houses and marketing, just as a quickie example.

There are plenty of teams, I wouldn't be in that group. Too much of 'a good thing' is just that. 

I'm not married, or even dating at the moment.

My folks have worked together as long as I've been around, in one business or another.  Not always easy, but it works.  Not sure I could do that, but I'd like to try.

My husband and I own a mortgage brokerage. We are high school sweethearts and have been together for 47 years. If you have a disagreement, get it resolved quickly, don't let it stew.  Arguments, etc. are so small in the grand scheme of things. Get over it and move on.

We do, and it works out really well!

WE do but we are pretty separate.  He does Property management, and I do sales.  We interact a lot since my investor client, will then become his property management client.  Then years later, when they want to sell, they become my client again.  Our duties are very specific and dont really overlap much, but we technially work together.  :)     I think I got the good job. 

Don't do it!

Not  chance in H**L.  Yeah, don't do it....  LOL

Never did except to take him on showings occasionally if I felt the need for back-up.  

I used to, and there were times it would have been nice to not be around him 24/7.   I would recommend having some time away from each other, just to keep the sanity.

You bet!

Had tossed this one up before earlier AR group about dating within the species of "R". Interesting answers.

Well, since I do not have one, I do not.

Working as a couple can be a blessing or backfire. All depends on the relationship itself. 

Nathan Gesner - yes. Though she is more of a 'Silent Partner'! And that works the best!

would not work out

My husband worked for me in my company many years ago. He told me I was the best boss he ever had but I think he had ulterior motives, to sleep with the boss. On a more serious note, we worked well together and he was an excellent agent. The secret ingredient was respect and to treat business as business.

I tried years ago with my ex.  It wasn't pretty.  She had the will but would not tolerate me telling her what I needed her to do to help me to do my job.  We finally had to just let me handle it because it was my business. 

My spouse had her license for about 3 months.  Ended up with 2 really bad clients and decided it was not for her.  it would not have worked in the ong run as we have different view on how to work the profession

I do not. I also do not have a spouse. I feel that I could if we aligned well in how I do things 

Nathan,

When your goals are aligned, it is a breeze and so wonderful...Not everyone couple is suited for this. A

I work solo without a spouse and not sure i could. It is hard for most spouses to live and work together but it can be done. 

Who's the broker?  My husband knows that as the broker I call the broker shots.  He's extremely talented in other areas and we work really well as a team!  Don't get nuts over small stuff - let it go and don't bring it home! Nothing is that important!

no

not at this time

Wanting to have nothing to do with RE period.

We did not work together, but did compliment one another. Wife was a loan officer.

I do not, but I know how.

What I OBSERVE is those who spend inordinate time with each other fall into an unexpected trap. That trap is 'tradition.' It is the same trap that sabotages relationships of ALL kinds.

Tradition says, when the President enters, all rise.

Tradition say, bow your head, close your eyes when you pray.

Tradition says cranberry appears for Thanksgiving.

There is no room to ask, change or alter, because it is tradition.

In the same way, past tradition inhibits the 'turning towards' that is essential for supporting relationships to grow together. 

Tradition establishes that the way one responded two year ago will be the same 5 years from now. The reality is , each of us experience tremendous personal emotional change over the course of 7 years. If you don't have mechanisms to monitor that change. to keep track of each others emotional situation, you become strangers stuck in TRADITION.

Make is a practice to turn towards by saying, "Is there more?"