Know your craft thoroughly. 

Listen carefully. 

Honesty matters.

Treat people fairly. 

Parameters?  There are expectations that are established.  Rules are important. 

I've always had a separation of personal and business....the two never overlapped....just my rule....and it worked well for me.... I've witnessed others having issues doing business with folks after that line is crossed....

Simply meet the needs of the client and give them the best professional advice.

Just as every piece of Real Estate is unique so is every relationship Kathryn Messina .

I don't step over professional boundaries, which are essentially spelled out in the Buyer Agency Agreement.  Not sure how you would define personal.

Proceed with caution here as the "fine" line can turn on you. Focus on how and why and what brought you together first, protect that using fiduciary and then we'll see from there. There are those that can jump right in too

What Roy Kelley said. We are in a professional, yet personable business. I become friends with a lot of my clients. It just happens. But always remain professional, knowledgeable, and customer/client oriented. Are you thinking of a certain example of lines being crossed? -Kasey

Kathryn,

We never had to set parameters.  And it is exactly as Roy Kelley said.

My best friend started as a client.  I end up being friends with most of my buyers and some of my sellers.

In 30 years of business this has never been a problem, we stay professional during the process and it generally remains that way afterward, and a while later they call us to start a new project.

Boy that is hard to answer.  I tell all my clients they are with me for life.  I deliver Xmas cookies for them in Dec. and peach cobblers in Sept.

Business is business, i try to not make it personal. Most buyers i have are referred to me. I go over my expectations from them, ask what they are expecting, what they want and need and then outline the service i can prvide and plan to tackle those needs. 

Satisfy their needs. I do draw a line I only handle RE related issues. Not their gopher, Uber, limo service, match maker.

No means No & Don't ask, don't tell, are the rules I follow.

    Familiarity breeds contempt.  Be careful.  

It is personal, indeed, Kathryn! Most are referrals from my sphere so, we already have a 'friendly' connection.

Although during the transaction, it's totally professional, they nearly always wind up becoming friends...and some become extended family! 

What Roy Kelley said.

Parameters?  

I do what needs to be done to meet the needs of my client and truly be of service. 

I have become friends with many clients. 

The only clients that are personal are those in my SOI that were personal before the business transaction.   I have many past clients that I now consider friends. I am personable and relational but not personal.

Roy Kelley covered this one well. Have empathy and do your job!

I believe in business bonding to achieve maximum results.

You may feel a personal attachment to buyers you are working with; I've really liked some clients but I offer them my services as a professional which means I give them my time, my advice based on my knowledge & experience and I do a good job negotiating on their behalf. That's all anyone could/should need. 

I keep it all business until after Closing

I work with people that I like and respect.

my circle of friends includes many past clients of my wife (who has been in the business much longer than me and is my broker)

Not very far into the personal. When things get too personal I've found the expectation curve changes

We both are honest. We listen. I care deeply about their future. 

It's rare that things get "personal."  I've worked with clients who I've known personally before hand, so that doesn't really count.  Very rarely do you form a tight bond that you become friends.  I've seen it a few times, but not that often.

Now if you're talking about don't call me after X time, that usually flows naturally.  I'm aware of if the sellers have kids and a set routine and will avoid phone calls and use texts instead after certain hours.

Same as Barbara.

As much as I think about establishing a list of rules/parameters, as many have said, each transaction/relationship is different.  I have started to train myself to not respond to text messages after 9:00 pm.  

Zero, don't do it. Keep boundaries as the leader. 

Do not take responsibility for things that are not yours. 

Every real estate transaction is different and can often transfrom into a friendship...

The 'line' is directly related to the need of the client.

There is the FSBO, Evil Empire, HGTV consumer who sits in judgment therefor a 'line' is very close to their toes.

But, very often, there is the homeowner who has been visited by calamity. Disorientation, grief, betrayal, cloud their vision and distress their thinking. For these the line envelopes them.

Then there is the fragile person. When they are confronted with a 'line' they easily go off-the-rail and the ensuing meltdown leads predictably to an outcome not beneficial to them.

In most of these cases a real estate agent will say, "Not my job!"

But there are those agents who are the unsung hero's of the profession.

In the simplest terms being a fiduciary and putting your clinet's interest above your own.

Phone calls only during business hours.  If I don't answer, I'm busy but will get back to you within the hour.

A client is a client, period. It's business. Never, never, never cross the line during a transaction. Never. Thus your judgment does not get clouded. Resist all temptations. Do not get emotional, minimize the personal stuff.

When all said and over, use your best judgment. Many of my clients have become great friends.

There is always a bit of personal involved in any transaction and it makes the process smoother for all concerned Kathryn Messina 

I prefer to keep business and personal separate until after a transaction, better that way.

Legal and common sense.

Yes, we usually become quite friendly, why not? Creating strong relationship for years is important for repeat business and referrals. 

One rule I have is if my client is buying breakfast I will always show up, also a Hamburger on Tuesday works.

I keep it professional. 

Yes, what great answers you got, Kathryn. 

Good luck. 

All answers will cover your question.

I strive to meet the needs of my clients in a professional manner. A friendship may grow from the relationship.