As a feminist, I ask why don't you become her assistant?

I think that she should stay where she is for a steady income personally. Why obtain a license if she is only going to be your assistant? Not necessary to help you but it is essential to sell.

Too much of the same, too much time spent per day together.

HMMM...done this for over a decade...and you have to decide how this will work for your individual relationship. If your talents compliment not collide...can you allow separate physical space...ask someone who knows you both well....ask a couple someones....be brave....listen to an outside evaluation...Good luck !

My husband and I have worked together for almost 25 years without an argument. We each know our own strength and we don't try to do the other's job.

It so much depends on your relationship. I love working with my husband, but I also love being with him much of the time, so that helps. I'm the extrovert, he's the introvert, but I can see that it wouldn't work for a lot of couples. I'd partner with my spouse long before I'd partner with someone else. ;)

Good idea. My wife was one of my licensed assistants for over 50 years. 

My first thought in reading this was "she's in Management and is going to be an Assistant?"  Yikes! 

Partner maybe? Good luck in whichever title you choose!

Clear division of responsibilities or you're DOOMED I tell you!!!
There WILL be differences of opinion on how to do things at times.  Bill

Richard,

We have loved every minute, and have developed precision teamwork.  A

Depends on how you & your spouse interact not only at work but life in general.  I know several couples who own & manage real estate company and others who are a team.

My husband & I worked for same company but in different roles.  I managed residential division & he was commercial agent.  Easy to give referrals back & forth. 

I think it could work well if you both have different strengths and can compliment each other's talents.

I think it works well for most couples.  Good luck.

When Eastern Airlines went out of business and Mike lost his job, we teamed up to open our real estate office.

He had always been in management and I always did my own thing, so we both had strong opinions.  It was not easy at first.  It is great now and I can't imaging not having him as a partner.

The key is that we divide the responsibilities and no one is on a higher pedestal than the other.  We do other things based on what each is best at, but are equals.

Your management wife as your assistant?...naw, won't last.  

Eve

I've worked with my husband for 17+ years.  It does have its challenges but can also be positive.  I suggst looking at your relationship, can you work together? ...I've heard many say they could not work with their spouse.

Be partners, not have her as an assistant, especially if she is currently working in management.  Initially she'll need to learn from you with your experience in real estate, but if you classify her as your assistant, my guess is working together will not work.  You can always hire an assistant. Recognize her as a partner in business and marriage.

Define roles, who's going to focus on what areas.  And do NOT spend 24 hours together.  What works for my husband and me is I'm an extravert, he's an introvert so I do the marketing which is my background and he does the accounting which is his background; we both meet with and work with clients and do the paperwork for the processing.

Good luck!

I think that is an excellent idea. Who better to have your back when things go South.

My Mom and Dad worked together and shared an office for years and loved it.  They didn't have a real estate company, but I'm not sure that it matters.  

As they grew the company and moved to a bigger building, they joked that with separate offices, they'd miss blowing kisses to each other across their desks, though no one really thought it was a joke.  They were madly in love.

I'm madly in love with Mr. Murty, but I don't think we'd be excellent work partners.  

I've seen it happen both ways....

it works well if they are doing different jobs.... if they're always together and doing the SAME WORK, it's going to be a partnership from hell....

Working with your spouse is a good idea,  we did it for many years.

Depends on the parties. I think you have to be very clear on who does what, There are some couple here that immediatgely come to mind that should have some good tips - Liz and Bill Spear and Sally K. & David L. Hanson 

Think it through. Strengths and weaknesses. Then figure it out and go for it!

I made my husband get a license so he can help out here and there with activities that require a license when I get very busy. But on a permanent basis, oh no way!

I would not doi it.

My wife and I have worked together for almost 35 years in everything we've done in business, including Real Estate.  When I was on the road with my Art business, she worked with me, not for me. Now I work for her in Real Estate, as she is the Managing Broker ad I am the Associate Broker.  I work with her, not for her.  We cover for each other when one is busy. Our cients know that they will be working with both of us.  We love it.

That's between you and your spouse.  Any "team" will have to adjust, so it doesn't matter.  Some people work well with other team members, including spouse, other's don't.  

Depends on the spouse, I enjoy working with mine, but then I also enjoy the insurance benefits she gets with her real job.

I love reading the advice given here. Looks like many say go and many say no. My wife and I work go together in some areas and not so good in other areas.

Real Estate since 1993.   My wife worked for Century 21 with me for 2 years from 1991 to 1993; she understands the business.  After we went independent, she has been my PR person and Chief Assistant ever since.

If you're thinking of growing a team, I think it's a good idea. She could be the office manager over more than one assistant and you'd have a good deal more control over finances than if you hired a stranger. And she would still be in a management position. As long as you can work out what you're going to do about health insurance, retirement funds, etc. 

Considerations:

1. insurance

2. 401K

3. strength

4. realtors live on check to check in between oops

It is cheaper to hire an assistant than it is use your spouse as as assistant. You can let go an assistant but you do not want to get into friciona side of a relationship because of bad deals.

Been doing it for 11 years, so far we haven't shot each other... YET!

It works if you can figure out how to do it

People! Focus on the question at hand!!As long as you communicate. Super crucial, as in any relationship

When you get to bed /master suite. Turn business off. Real estate business that is... ;) LOL

It has worked for us for the past 8 years. My hubby has a full-time career outside of this industry but does all my IT and is involved in all the marketing decisions. 

Terrible idea.  

In my case it would be bad. It depends on the personalities of those involved.

It can work and work well but not all couples need that much together time. Someone has to be in charge and that is where the problem lies and has to be worked out.

I love mine dearly but could not do it :).

Richard Robibero, ABR, SRS It can work out very well. There are many couples in this business. However, it is not a decision to make lightly. There are many things to consider from a business, financial and personalty aspect.

Good or bad?  Likely it is going to depend on the couple.  There are certainly examples of both in and out of real estate.   Good luck.  

You must learn how to balance work & home

Richard Robibero, ABR, SRS - very good question.

And I'd say, it all depends on the relationship they have with each other. Know your strengths - and work out accordingly.

Check your DISC profile and see what role would be more appropriate for each of you.

And if you still want to go further, AVA test.

Good Luck.

We do ok, we spat once in awhile, but for the most part 11 years and still going strong

Great idea!

I agree, working together as partners may work well. 

Why can't she become your equal?  What are HER goals? Larry and I get along really really really well and love being together.  So we think it is a good idea.

My husband and I have worked together for 22 years.  The best advice is ... find out what each of you excell at and then work within those confines.  You might find you will become her assistant!  

I agree with Sally K. & David L. Hanson, it depends on the couple. 

We love it, but it's not for everyone.

It works for us because we have complimentary strengths and value/respect each other's opinions. We also have three piles of jobs - one pile of stuff that only Wayne does, one pile of stuff that only Jean does, and a pile of stuff that we both do. That third pile is very small.

My husband and I are both licensed. We love working together because we have the same values, work ethic and goals. We also compliment each other as far as strengths and weaknesses. He does all the contract work (which I don't like) and I do the marketing, technology (which he's not good with) and MLS input.

It really depends on the 2 of you though. 

I've known some couples who worked really well together - then there were some others.  I think it helps if a couple has resolved most of their control issues before embarking on a joint real estate career.  And it sounds like you may need to get over the wife as assistant thing!  

Although my wife is not an LO, we have worked together in one capacity or another pretty much our entire married life ... now going on 40 years.  In fact, when I first entered the business she trained me in some of my earliest days on the job, as she had worked in the company's mortgage department for over 2 years when I arrived on the scene.  There are days we can bump heads ... I won't lie.  But they have been few.  We both love the business .. me as the LO, she as my marketing assistant.  It works extremely well for us now ... and always did.  It was a HUGE plus when I was busy and our children were small.   Our roles are defined.  I think that helps.

Best of luck to you and the Mrs. on taking this step ...

Gene

The pillow talk when it's two "R's" make it right, and here comes the sandman night night. Boom boom out go the lights. I like Lyn Sims answer.

Hi Richard - It's a great idea if you can survive that first six months, but a sense of humor really helps. We're going on 18 years now, but I'd add that neither of us is the other's assistant - we specialize on some stuff, share others and act interchangably when necessary.

It depends on the situation.

I have for 14 years and might need to re-think that move! OUCH!

For Ron and I it works well.  Ron is far more detail oriented than I am.  His contracts have no issues with our office compliance.  I enjoy the marketing and phone calles to the data base.  By splitting the "Realtor Duties" in a transaction and working in different areas, we are efficient I think.  Debbie

It's tough to work with your spouse- some couples can make it work, but too much togetherness can be challenging!

Great one for me.

I would say no

It depends on whose spouse I'm working with!!

Do you like your spouse?  A lot?  Some relationships need that separation to work.  My parents have been working together since before I was born, they love it.  My father did the sales side and my mother did both sales and the office support side (father is a licensed Broker, mother is a licensed agent).  It worked for them, but neither had a "day job" to give up before.

What I would seriously take a look at and ask myself:

1. What benefits would I be losing?  Do you get healthcare from your wife's employer (I had to give up $2/month healthcare that gave me free hospital services and 80% off hospital visits (I worked for a hospital))?  That was the hardest part!  Does she get a 401k?  Paid vacations sure are nice!
2. Will she be satisified mentally by working as a realtor and/or as your assistant?  I'm a trained techie (Master's Degree in Computer Science), sometimes I get more satisfied/stimulated working on my website.
3. How much income will you be losing with her leaving the company and will her assisting you be able to help you get to a production level where that lost income is recouped and exceeded?
4. Do you actually need the help?  Would a secretary or a second agent be just as effective?
5. Does your wife hate her job/employer?  A lack of company satisfaction and increased job stress from politics and BS is one of the primary reasons I left my 6 figure job for real estate!

Make sure you look at ALL the angles before making that move.

The biggest problem I have seen arrangements like these is that the dominant personality at home is not always the dominant real estate force.  That can lead to a lot of head butting unless it is clearly defined that one of you is the boss when it comes to work.   

Could be a good idea, but not as an assistant, as a partner.

My wife left her corporate job 10 years ago to be my partner, we both regretted it almost immediately for a variety of reasons, call me and I would be happy to tell you our pluses and minuses - but here are a few 

• Having the corporate job meant steady income and benefits
• The original plan was for her to get her mortgage license and we would be a team that way, but our preferred lender told us that was a bad idea, the reality was he was afraid of losing our business
• She had several corporate referrals for me every year
• She made the decision right before the recession hit, terrible timing

The proof is in the pudding....taste it

 My husband and I work together. We are a team, neither of us are assistantt to each other but we work together as a team. We have been a team for more than six years and our team has grown two more then 35 players 

If they are the best person for the job, you are not doing yourself any favors by not picking them up. I wish my wife would work with me :-)

It works for us. Plus the fact that she can work after hours if I need her to. Sometimes on weekends I am swamped.

Depends on which day you ask me!

What is she going to be assisting with?  Do you work well together on the rest of your joint business ventures?  My advice is ask would together if you didn't know each other?  There are many couples who work well together in the real estate business and yet others are too competitive.

good idea.

My wife and I work together, and for us, it is a great mix!

Richard,

I think is a wonderful idea, you already get along, right? I wish my husband could be my assistant, he says he is already up to his neck in Real Estate, lol. He does help with the post signs and spending, lol

I've had a couple of ex-husbands with whom I worked. You might focus on the "ex" part, LOL, but working together wasn't the problem as we had separate jobs. Part of the disconnect WAS working together. The real estate business completely dominated our lives and we never stopped talking about it. Real estate has a tendancy to do that anyway, but for me, I like a little break and am glad present (and last) husband is not in the real estate business.

I think in most cases it is a bad idea. Some couple may do great, but most would just spend too much time together. If she wants to do it, she should get her license and be your partner, i can not see any wife taking orders from their husband for very long doing the worst parts of our job whether it is business or not. 

You have had some very good advice here.  I would love to follow this conversation to see how it develops.  My real question is what does your wife want to do?

Tough one, did it for four years, we still fight about it after twelve years have past.

Bad, you may have a good business partner and a dead relationship with your former spouse because you now hate each other. Not for me.

I think it really depends on the couple. 

I love your question! But there is a pros and cons. Importantly, don't let the work affect the relationship. I feel like working "with" you and working "for" you are different. Working "for" you is a pros. :) Anyway, GOOD LUCK

Only you and your wife know if that will work.  Its a great idea only if you can make it work. 

Cannot speak for personal experience but personal observation, and from what I have seen when it's good, it's very good...and when it's bad it is very very bad....have seen several where a split put them BOTH out of the business.. IMHO, Depends on the two of YOU and the health, strength and commitment of your relationship, each knowing your strengths AND weaknesses and ackowledging the strengths of your partner, being able to resolve differences and confidence in each others decision making, being able to "step away" from business and focus on your relationship OUTSIDE of business, as the song says...This could be heaven or this could be hell'