What you see is not always what you get!  This week the Lil Devil was fuming at another Real Estate Agent for reportedly scamming a neighbor.  We all know what fiduciary duty means, and we know that we have a ton of rules to follow...as well as Fair Housing and anti-Discrimination rules.  So when I heard about what this agent did, well......

      Lil Devil- "I was Pissed!"

     Lil Angel-This couldn't be happening, nobody would jeopardize their license by this type of behavior. Maybe my neighbor got it wrong. But when she told me the punch line (the final straw in my book) I was agast! Here is the story as told to me.

The Real Estate Agent (a friend of a friend) purportedly "sold" these people a house in a very nice development.  The house was appraised at $240,000, and the clients said they wanted to offer $260,000 to make sure they got the house.

The REALTOR supposedly told the clients that they could move into the house (she owned it) and they would do the contract later.  The clients did move in and asked how much money they needed for a down payment as their tribe was going to buy the house for them. 

But the REALTOR kept putting them off when they asked about the contract.  They were told that they would pay $1200 a month "rent", and this money would go to towards the purchase.  And apparently again the clients asked about the down payment, and were told that it would be $27,000. but no price was ever established for the house, and the REALTOR wanted a security deposit of $1,200, rent $1,200 and last months rent of $1,200 plus $27,000.

     Lil Devil thinking- What....this doesn't sound right at all....where's the contract?  Who would let someone move in without closing escrow, or even having an escrow.  And this is a friend?  How can you collect rent and a Down payment at the same time?  Something's wrong here!

     Lil Angel-  Did you have a contract?  Anything at all in writing?  Where did you find this person?  Oh, a friend of a friend....Be careful of Friends, as obviously something isn't right.

The story goes on to say that somewhere in the few weeks they were in this house that they decided things didn't seem right.  They stated they kept asking to write a Purchase Contract, as they knew that there should be a lot of paperwork like when they bought their current home.

     Lil Devil- You go tell that lady that you are going to report her to DRE, she can't do that!  Did you give her the money.

     Lil Angel-Why didn't they ask me...I would have helped them!  Now look at the mess they're in!

Well, after a few weeks of this the people decided to move.....and when they told the lady (she's not a REALTOR in my book because she isn't ethical, and has clearly violated the law if this story is right) she told them they owe her 3 months "rent".  When asked why they owe 3 months they were told for 1st, last, and security.  But they told her they weren't paying as they have no contract.....and here's the kicker....

"Oh, so you're not one of the "Dumb" Indians!"

     Lil Devil-  What...not only do we have fraud involved, but now we add Discrimination.  Who is this person?  I will report them myself as I am embarrassed even listening to this.  Fraud, fraud, fraud....throw her ass in jail for all I care, and definitely take her license!

     Lil Angel- ..........(silenced by the purported injustice, and disbelief anyone would take advantage of anyone like this).

I know there are many people that don't understand the process of buying a home, but that's our job as REALTORS to help them.  It's our job to make sure their interests are taken care of.  And for anyone in our Profession to take advantage of someone else for personal gain is disgraceful....

 By: Kathy McGraw- A Real Estate Broker that does NOT take advantage of people!