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You didn’t just say that to my buyers did you?

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty LLC 200311024

Photo courtesy of e-masterHave you ever had a strange experience with a listing agent? So strange that when you were done, just had that look on your face that asks, "Are you serious?"

Well, I can say I just recently had one of those experiences and even my buyer's called me afterward and asked if the agent was "Off her rocker". The sad part is, I couldn't disagree with them.

This agent was speaking for the seller and was trying to convince the buyers that they needed to sign a waiver on the home and that it was safe and didn't need permits. She said that she has known the seller for years and they wouldn't have lived there if they thought their family wasn't safe with the remodeling that was done.

What? They didn't need a permit because you have known them for a long time and they wouldn't have done them if they thought they were unsafe? I used to jump from the swings when I was a kid because I didn't think I would get hurt either. You know what? I was wrong despite what I thought before doing it!

There is a reason for the permit process, and it isn't for the people that think that they are going to do it unsafely. It is for everyone and I truly believe this agent was putting her license on the line, had it been a duel agency situation and she had convinced a potential buyer that permits were not needed and something in the future happened.

So, no matter how bad you want a sale, if permits are required, then permits are required! It doesn't matter how long you have known the sellers and how safe you feel the job they did was.

 

Comments(31)

Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Todd:  Perhaps the next time it comes up, you could ask that listing agent if she was so sure everything was alright... ask her if she would personally sign a form taking full personal responsibility in case anything went wrong.  That should shut her up pretty quickly.

Jul 28, 2008 05:44 PM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

Good grief. Makes one wonder what on earth they were thinking -- nor not thinking.

Jul 28, 2008 05:45 PM
Pam Pugmire
Silvercreek Realty Group - Meridian, ID
Meridian Idaho Real Estate

You're right on here......permits are in place for a reason.

Jul 28, 2008 06:15 PM
Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

I have had some seriously dumb things said in front of me and my clients.  I even had one lady attempt to solicit my client's business WHILE I WAS STANDING RIGHT THERE.  My client had the perfect reaction - he put his arm around my shoulder, and said, "I'm really happy with Jason as my agent, but thanks."

Jul 28, 2008 06:32 PM
Randy L. Prothero
eXp Realty - Hollister, MO
Missouri REALTOR, (808) 384-5645

I can't believe a licensed individual (oops I almost said professional) would say something that crazy.  I guess she does not want to keep her license long.

Jul 28, 2008 08:02 PM
Chip Jefferson
Gibbs Realty and Auction Company - Columbia, SC

Call in a GC for an inspection. My husband has seen alot of sub standard work in homes that were improved by the owners.

Jul 28, 2008 11:58 PM
Charlottesville Solutions
Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA

That is amazing. Seems that as sales get tighter some agents just want to make the deal happen and forget what is right.

Your Friend in Charlottesville!

Jul 29, 2008 12:08 AM
Daniel J. Brudnok, REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach, REALTORS - Exton - PA License #RS-225179-L / Delaware License #RS-0025038 - Downingtown, PA
SRES, e-PRO,ABR,GREEN,CSP

Todd,

Stand your ground and protect your Client.....in that you are truly protecting yourself.

Jul 29, 2008 03:07 AM
Adam Waldman
Westcott Group Real Estate Company - Hauppauge, NY
Realtor - Long Island

TODD - It makes you wonder how some people even got their license.  I had one experience that was bizarre a few years ago.  I showed up with buyers and the agent met us at the home.  She asked if I wanted to show them around, or if I wanted her to tag along.  I told her that I had it covered, but she proceeded to follow us around anyway.  When we got to the extra kitchen that was somewhat updated, she waxed poetic about why they decided to keep the mustard yellow stove of the 70's.  Seemingly, without ever coming up for air, she said that "it's a a perfectly good stove, right, I mean, why would you get rid of a stove like this if it's working, even though it's mustard yellow."  And on, and on, and on.  Needless to say, the buyers and I discussed her technique after we left.

Jul 29, 2008 06:39 AM
Barbara Carter
Century 21 Alliance Realty Group - Highland, NY
Serving Your Real Estate Needs in the Hudson Valle

Todd- Wow- It really makes you wonder what some of these agents are thinking or if they are thinking- I am glad they have you representing them.

Jul 29, 2008 06:52 AM
Laura Forty-Garcia
RE/MAX CENTRAL REALTY - GRI, CDPE, SFR, CREO - Lake Mary, FL
Your Central Florida Connection to Real Estate

Todd,
It is amazing how some are really off their rocker... Can you say lawsuit....

Jul 30, 2008 03:37 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Karen - I got to love a bugs bunny fan and I have to say I got the joke immediately!

Raylene - The funny part is she invited us over to talk about the work that was done on the house and her goal was clearly to try to convince my buyers why permits were not needed.

Vickie - The permit has been gotten and we just closed on the transaction and all is good with my buyers.

Jul 31, 2008 03:37 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Cristal - I'm guessing this agent was really close to going bankrupt and this check was her way to salvation.

Paula - It was a case of shut your mouth and let the home owner do the talking. Had she been stupid enough to put even half the stuff she was saying down on paper, her license would have been gone!

Aug 01, 2008 03:22 PM
Doris Freeman
Zach Taylor Real Estate - Gallatin, TN
Broker/Agent, 615-961-7799

This one is definately a new one, its one thing to think something like that to yourself, but to actually say it and to a buyer, WOW

Have A Great Day

Aug 01, 2008 03:59 PM
Kathy Torline
ERA Herman Group Real Estate - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Real Estate Blog 719-287-1049

Todd:  Good post, I enjoyed reading it and the answers.   These are definitely interesting times in the real estate world -- never quite sure who is going to say what.

Aug 02, 2008 05:14 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Chris - Oh, I don't know how many people I have to tell about home inspections on new homes they are amazed at how much comes back when they do! If it is before the start of construction, I tell them to get a clause that you can get 4 home inspections throughout the process to keep them honest.

Mike - I was amazed that anyone would say that with me standing there and even invite us over to try to convince us of something so stupid.

Mark - Oh, I think she was just trying to save her friends some money, but man putting your license on the line to do it? That is just plain stupid!

Tony or Darcy - The worst part is when the owner is even correcting some of her statements on the spot and she says, oh that isn't a big deal.

Henry - The permits were obtained, the inspectors came through and after that it went off without a hitch, but I can tell you we made them fix everything found on the inspection because of the non-permit issues. They are now very happy and the other agent is still pissed at me. (LOL)

Aug 08, 2008 04:46 PM
Henry Birchfield
Henry's Drafting and Design Services - Winchester, KY

Todd, glad things worked out.

Aug 08, 2008 06:13 PM
Anonymous
Not Yet Licensed

What a maroon!!! 

Wow.  That's shocking.  I fully agree with Karen Rice's concise analysis!  :)

Aug 09, 2008 10:34 PM
#29
Debbie Summers
Charles Rutenberg Realty - New Smyrna Beach, FL

Why would this agent risk her license for someone else... Not so smart!

Aug 10, 2008 01:22 PM
Lisa Long
Heather Roda Broker - Paso Robles, CA

There are good agents and bad agents can you guess which one she is? Please tell me she is new, even then she should of known better!

Aug 10, 2008 05:51 PM