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Real Estate Scam II: Contracts via Email ONLY

By Afie Makinde

Real Estate Agent with Exit Realty Properties

November 18, 2007 02:04 PM

Hey you all, I am back with the continuation of my observations and conclusions of real estate scams that are ruining our daily bread and butter!!

My customer found a property whilst driving and gave me the information. I did some research and I found a strange remark in the details that stated "Send all contracts via email". This was the first time I saw such a comment in a listing and I didn't understand why. What happened to good ole faxing of contracts or/and driving and delivering a contract by hand, depending on the timing?

If we are truly out there prospecting all day long, whilst the manager or assistant is in the office, there is little chance that anyone would know there is contract in the works if it is going to a personal email, at least until the realtor checks their email late in the evening.

So, once my customers sign, I must scan all the documents and then fax them. Needless to say I didn't get a response for a few days, few hours after the contract should have been executed. BTW, I did leave messages.

In a buyers market, I am amazed at this type of scam going on.

Watch for RE Scam III. This one will tickle you a tad bit!!

Afie Makinde
EXIT Realty Properties
484.410.6568
afie@EXITFloridahomes.com

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Michael La Fay

Meadow Lakes Supply Co. - Wasilla, AK

I guess it must just be me, but I don't see how emailing contracts is a scam.

That is my/our preferred method. They are so much more visible and if printed on color printer, the ink is still blue. Plus you get read receipts and confirmation that they received it in there box and there are no paper jams or chances of running out of paper in the middle of a transmission.

Was there some reason the other Realtor could not get back in touch with you?

Nov 18, 2007 02:15 PM

Natalie Langford

Realty Negotiations - Winchester, VA

Winchester, VA Real Estate

Interesting...I have done both. I have actually faxed docs and then faxed to my efax and emailed the same thing. I guess I'm double over doing it...I just like to know I have proof I followed the time is of the essence rule! Not hearing back for days is unacceptable. Wish you better luck in the future!

Nov 18, 2007 02:33 PM

Denise Willer

Elite Realty - Las Vegas, NV

"Where Therenulls a Willer Therenulls a Way" Las Vegas

I'm uncertain if what you are saying is a scam. Maybe you could elaborate for us and clarify? Do they want you to email the paper offer or e-submit a document online?

I think we all have to learn that e-documents are going to be the wave of the future. If your office hasn't adjusted to a paperless system, then I hope they do in the next year or two. I am able to take a freshly-signed contract and scan it into my super-fast office COPY MACHINE and enter my information and then am able to e-mail these documents to anyone at any time! It's wonderful!

I have a Palm Treo phone and that enables me to set it up where I receive notifications of emails 7 days a week, from 8am to 8pm, every half hour of the day.

I have heard of BANK OWNED properties REQUIRING you to submit the offer online via one of their e-forms, which I think is highly time consuming and a scam, but beyond that, we need to find better ways to conduct our businesses more efficiently and with less paper wasted.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Technology!

(PS - Yes, I know the GRI class says that a faxed contract isn't actually legal, but our Association of Realtors contract indicates that facsimilies are acceptable, legal copies)

Thanks for the post!

Nov 18, 2007 02:44 PM

Lorinda Ward

Keffer Realty - Norfolk, VA

Serving, Hampton Roads Virginia. Norfolk, Chesapeake, Va Beach

Hi Afie, did you ever hear back from the Realtor on the sellers side? I don't understand where the scam comes in at. I would like to know what happen on the other end.

Have a great day!

Nov 18, 2007 02:46 PM

Frank Jewett

tech4REpros - San Jose, CA

If an agent wants to go paperless, it makes sense to ask for digital docs. Going paperless not only saves on gas and equipment costs, it also allows the agent to use a remote transaction coordination service. The refusal to respond is inexcusable, but I don't think that had anything to do with asking for digital docs.

Nov 18, 2007 02:51 PM

Afie Makinde

Exit Realty Properties - Coral Springs, FL

Realtor, Broward County, FL

I agree that faxing, scanning, walking the papers etc. We do what we must to get those docs completely executed. My prolem is making contact with the person on the other side. The way this went down, I was convinced it was a scam because I never got to speak to an agent. I only got a response by email.

How weird.

Nov 20, 2007 10:52 AM

Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers

Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ

Coldwell Banker Realty

Requiring that contracts be emailed is not a "scam" - it's a great way to do business!

Sep 18, 2015 07:46 AM

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Afie Makinde

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