Special offer

Grand Rapids, MI Home Buyers: You Don't Have to PAY for Listing Information!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate

lightbulb momentRecently a call came into the office from a prospective buyer.  After talking with her briefly, I asked her if she was being assisted by an agent who could get her real time updates of newly listed homes when they were listed.

She seemed surprised that this was possible.  But it wasn't until she began to share her online experience with me that I became startled. Apparently, she had clicked on a link on a website to get information about a home listing and didn't think anything of it...until she was presented with a $15 charge on her phone bill the next month.  When she contacted the phone company, they informed her that the click had cost her $15!

Has anyone else run into this? 

I did let her know that you don't have to pay ANYTHING to get updated information about homes in Grand Rapids, MI.  In fact, the Grand Rapids Association of Realtors is now beta testing a new site which will allow prospective homebuyers to customize and SAVE their searches.  They can also choose to associate the search with the real estate agent of their  choice if they'd like.

In addition, the association is asking consumers for feedback so they can enhance what our guests experience while they are online.  Check it out for FREE.  You don't have to pay for the most comprehensive, real estate listing information available in Grand Rapids, MI straight from the professionals who serve in the real estate industry everyday.

If you're searching for an agent to serve your local real estate needs, visit www.auduhomes.com.  You can create your own private search by clicking on the Property Search link and also access tons of information about the local area.

 

Copyright 2009  Audu Real Estate  All Rights Reserved

Comments(27)

Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

I seem to recall that they went through something like this in the Virginia Beach area.  I believe they got it resolved.

There are all types of web sites that can provide all types of information.  The buyer must have dialed a toll number.  Or, the provider has a 900 like number.

I get calls regularly from folks who want to know if I charge for lists of foreclosures.

Of course, I do not.  However, I don't send out lists either.

 

May 07, 2009 11:32 AM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

Wow.... that's a scam....

Someone in the Chicago area?? A real estate agent... maybe it was Judy Bryant?   recently had a post about her phone bill having odd charges on it.  She'd clicked on links on Facebook and "services" were billed to her cell phone.

I suppose a scam could be set up with any info.  Importance of using trusted sources.

May 07, 2009 11:53 AM
Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

Free is always good.  There is always somebody trying to make a fast buck.

 

 

 

 

May 07, 2009 12:14 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Well, I always say, I have heard it all.

Then I found out, no I haven't heard it all.

HOW Disquisting!!!

I won't say it this time but just unbelievable.

May 07, 2009 12:19 PM
Lora "Leah" Stern 914-772-4528
Coldwell Banker, 170 N Main Street, New City NY 10956 - New City, NY
Real Estate Salesperson

Just another thing to add to the list of things that give "REALTORS" a bad name and bad press.  I've never heard of something like this before, but there are all kinds of scams out there.

 

May 07, 2009 12:58 PM
Brian Schulman
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lancaster PA - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster County PA RealEstate Expert 717-951-5552

I wasn't aware of this scam.  It sounds like the equivalent of calling 900#'s and getting ripoff charges...

May 07, 2009 01:23 PM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

It was likely a 900 or 800 number or something like that where she got the data... just a guess.

May 07, 2009 01:26 PM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

They are everywhere . Buyers and sellers need to be well informed and aware of the options that are available to them great advice.

May 07, 2009 01:28 PM
Daren Krause
Keller Williams Realty - Austin, TX

I'd love to get some specific information on this scam.  It's important that a scam such as this gets brough to light quickly and with consumer loss being minimized.

May 07, 2009 01:53 PM
Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

They are everywhere, these scammers.  Never heard of paying for a listing.

May 07, 2009 02:00 PM
Irene Kennedy Realtor® in Northwestern NJ
Weichert - Lopatcong, NJ

What an awful thing. Lola. I've seen countless sales of lists - Lenn mentioned foreclosures but I've also seen auction lists sold. All information we share freely.

May 07, 2009 03:12 PM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Thank you all for feedback on this issue.  I was so shocked when this individual shared this experience.  I did ask her for the website, but she could not remember where she had been.  I would have loved to check it out myself.  From the comments so far, it seems as though this is not common which is a good thing.  It did not sound like she understood that she was clicking into a 'special number'  If this was the case, it is disconcerting.

May 07, 2009 04:09 PM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

WOW

Is Dave saying Lola made up the story?  Odd.

Yet Dave's comment is anonymous.  You can say just about anything anonymously can't you?  If you choose to delete Dave's comment feel free to delete this as well. 

I would love to know if Dave is someone in your market...    Dave seems a bit confused.

Dave,

Lola's had 98 featured post on ActiveRain.  She is NOT unknown...  she has other blogs.

May 08, 2009 12:37 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Morning Lola,  Isn't it amazing how creative these bums are ?  Glad this nice lady found you.

May 08, 2009 01:18 AM
Omega Omega
Omega - Glendale, CA

Lola - Good tip!!! In this age of "Do it yourself" or "That's what the internet is for" there is still a reason of why professionals anre needed, if nothing more than to educate the public on the value of their representation.

Cheers

May 08, 2009 01:59 AM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

Out MLS system lets us set up a custom web site look for each auto email notifications we set up. I have blogged about MLS systems before. Your MLS Board has options for add ons. I am glad that your system is moving there. As for the $15, isn't there some truth in advertising law to deal with that? I would also call my phone and credit card company and dispute the charges.

May 08, 2009 02:27 AM
Jeani Codrey
RE/MAX Corridor - New Braunfels, TX
Director of Opportunity & Agent Development

WOW!  That was a pretty pricey click!  That is crazy.  Thanks for the heads up.

May 08, 2009 02:44 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Maureen, thanks for your comment.  I found the annonymous comment strange as well.  I do wish the caller had remembered the website address because I would want to warn my clients.  She was very happy to hear she could set up her own free search for new listings from the local real estate board and get instant updates & that's what's most important.

May 08, 2009 08:30 AM
Rebecca Levinson, Real Estate Marketing and Online Advertising Consultant
Real Skillz-Clear Marketing for Your Real Estate Vision - Lake Geneva, WI

Lola,

THat is unfortunate, seems there is a scam behind everything....that is how predators survive.

May 08, 2009 10:09 AM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I have not heard of consumers paying for listing info. There are many who pay for list of foreclosures scams

May 17, 2009 02:33 AM