Once a realtor, always a realtor

I guess once you're a real estate agent, you're always a real estate agent. T has made a number of friends at his gym, many of whom are trying to buy or sell real estate. T has not gotten a CA license but he is a real estate hound. Like with many of the more popular professions, once folks find out he was in real estate, they start asking for advice. One of his new friends was very interested in a property and had put in an offer on a house. As he told T about the place, T was more and more uncomfortable with what his friend was experiencing. He did not have a realtor of his own and was working with the seller/agent. All those terrible stories one hears about unscrupulous realtors, changing terms, not returning calls, changing the story etc. T gave a number of suggestions but recommended he get his own realtor and referred him to the one who was the selling realtor, Brian, for our house. He was terrific and he lives in our neighborhood. The referral was great. Brian told them a lot about the history of the place they were interested in and the problems associated with it. The quickly got out of that deal and Brian was able to find them a perfect home in no time. He knew a lot about the property and helped them put in a low bid and helped negotiate for other benefits like closing costs, warranties etc.