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Fake Clients

By Joshua Espiritu

Real Estate Agent with Real Estate America

June 19, 2007 09:36 AM

We recently got a call from someone who wanted to see one of our listings she saw in one of our ads.

She identified herself as Dr. Crawford. She wanted to see the home and she wanted us to pick her up (foresight on our part, please if you can meet your clients at the office) and she said she was a cash buyer (new best friends, right?).

Anyway, she said she worked at the county mental health office. We go there and my broker (aka my father) spoke with the man at the front desk and said that there is a patient there who says she's a doctor and tries to get a ride somewhere.

So anyone in the Sacramento, CA area that gets a call from a "Dr. Crawford," please be aware.

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Joshua Espiritu

Real Estate America - Elk Grove, CA

Yeah, I was told a story of an elderly lady who did a similar thing when my dad was an agent at Coldwell Banker back in the 90s. Go figure.

Jun 19, 2007 10:06 AM

Christine Zheng

Keller Williams Downtown - Denver, CO

That's tooo funny... it is a great way to get a free ride though....

Jun 19, 2007 10:11 AM

Jodi Truscott

VITEK Mortgage Group - Roseville, CA

Wow - that is bizarre. I will say though that when I was in my former office, we had leads that came in from various sources that were obviously fake - two men married and one of them was an "adult entertainer," etc.

Jun 19, 2007 11:01 AM

Joe Zapata

Keller Williams Realty Media World - Burbank, CA

Your Burbank Real Estate Expert

wow, that had to be a bit awkward. Just be grateful she did not get out you could be in police videos for helping a mental patient escape, lol. What I want to know is how did she get to the phone anyway?

Jun 19, 2007 11:16 AM

Sandra Cummings

William Raveis Real Estate - Guilford, CT

Real Estate Agent, Guilford Connecticut

Thanks for my laugh of the day....so how did she get your phone number?

Sandra

Jun 19, 2007 12:05 PM

Joshua Espiritu

Real Estate America - Elk Grove, CA

Joe - I wondered the same thing. I had this mental picture that she was hiding in empty offices using their phone and then when she thought someone was calling, she would hang up. Like Mission Impossible style sneaking around just to use a phone.

Sandra - I'm assuming she got a hold of one of the real estate publications in town and saw our ad.

Jun 20, 2007 05:23 AM

Mark Cole

Realty World Executive Group - Orange Park, FL

CRS

I wonder if that would work if you had a few too many drinks. Can you imagine getting the call at 4AM..."Hi, I am a cash buyer......."

Jun 20, 2007 08:21 AM

Emilie Cueva

Prudential California Realty - Pittsburg, CA

REALTOR- SRES, AHWD, QSC

Hi, Joshua!

Wow, thanks for sharing your story! Thanks for the fair warning! : ) Crazy stuff, huh...

Jun 20, 2007 08:27 AM

Tchaka Owen

Galleria International Realty - Hollywood, FL

You should pick her up, drive around the neighborhood and pull right back up to the ward. Viola!

- Tchaka

Jun 20, 2007 04:35 PM

Will Hanna

Southern Coast Insurance Group - Surfside Beach, SC

So, I'm guessing she didn't buy anything?

Jul 01, 2007 12:15 PM

Joshua Espiritu

Real Estate America - Elk Grove, CA

Will - Not from us...maybe she's "looking" with another agent in town :P

Jul 02, 2007 09:18 AM

Vicki Bishop GRI - Alabama Real Estate

Coldwell Banker United Realtors® - Bay Minette, AL

How funny, i guess we all get calls that are fake. Someone just wanting to yank our chain.

Vicki

Jul 02, 2007 09:57 AM

John Lockwood

Lockwood Real Estate - Sacramento, CA

Sorry that happened to you...but boy, that's funny.

May your next buyer be a real cash buyer, and I hope you double-end it.

Jul 02, 2007 02:47 PM

Katie Evans

Keller Williams - Greenville, NC

What is a "cash buyer" ???? Send them my way!

Jul 02, 2007 03:26 PM

Dan Tobias

Rodeo Realty - Northridge, CA

Northridge Real Estate Expert

Joshua- sorry about laughing at that, but boy is that funny, or what. Thanks for the laugh

Jul 02, 2007 04:08 PM

Alain Harounoff

Realty World Capital Group - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Thats funny stuff. Should be made into a comic strip.

Jul 02, 2007 06:48 PM

SHAUN WREN

LICENSE IS NOT PLACED - Lakeland, FL

That was funny. You have to give her credit for originality.

Jul 04, 2007 05:43 AM

David Hood

Chino Valley Real Estate - Chino, CA

Thats nuts, people aer crazy. Hope you guys could laugh about it.

Jul 11, 2007 02:24 AM

Anita S. Zahn

Advantage Realty 863-840-1420 - Sebring, FL

Highlands County Real Estate Source! I work 4 U!

Josh That was so funny. I had to run down the hall and have another agent read this. He laughed so hard I thought he'd have a heart attack. We need to make a group and call it Realtors most funniest experiences.

You'll be laughing at this one for along time.

Jul 19, 2007 02:13 PM

Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate

Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL

Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

We invite you back to ActiveRain in the year 2017!

Feb 16, 2017 06:34 PM