Special offer

OMG! Beware Office mates who STEAL your listings !!

By
Real Estate Agent with RMX REALTY

OMG! Beware Office mates who STEAL your listings !!

 

Some agents don't know protocol or the meaning of ethics. I recently spoke with another agent, "Sarah", who works in the office. She has been working with another agent named "Patty" in the office. They have been prospecting together since December. During that time period they have worked together, they were doing ok. They picked up a couple listings and a buyer while prospecting. It appears the relationship was going well until in March when Sarah couldn't deal with Patty any longer. They broke up like a bad marriage. It piqued my curiosity so I inquired further as to what caused this catastrophic downturn when things had gone 'oh so well'.

The relationship was growing bitter by the days. Sarah indicated that Patty constantly complained that Sarah was not prompt when returning her phone calls. The reason for this was because Sarah was the one communicating with the bank for the shortsales that they had picked up together. She could not drop everything to cater to every whims and calls that Patty insisted be answered immediately. Sarah is the senior of the 2 and had more experience in the real estate industry. Because of the demanding nature of Patty, it was apparently becoming an issue between the two of them and therefore causing friction in their relationship. This effectively caused stress on Sarah and so she decided to put an end to this partnership with Patty.

Stealing cookies without reaching for it. Just recently, Sarah discovered via the company emails that Patty had picked up 2 additional listings and had one buyer in escrow. Sarah read the email and noticed that the street names sounded familiar. She looked it up and found that those 2 listings Patty picked up were the same houses she and Patty had met with the sellers back in February. The sellers of both homes at that time stated they were not ready but will call once they are ready. For both of these homes, Sarah and Patty had gone to these 2 homes and did their listing presentation together. The buyer was one that they picked up as a referral BUT Patty claimed to be hers.

The question is: To co-list or not to co-list. Here's the situation. Sarah feel that she should be the co-listing agent on both of those listings which Patty claimed to be solely hers. I thought that it was a rather selfish act on Patty actions. I understand that they split partnership but the fact of the matter is that they had "unfinished business". Because as such, these 'transactions' should be considered jointly obtained and not be claimed by one party. Sarah was rather miffed upon discovering this and have not confronted Patty yet. I suggested that she either call or meet Patty face up to find a resolution to this.

The ethical and proper way to deal with this is to have both agents be on these transactions. What say you?

 

 

*********************************************************************************************

For FORECLOSURE Prevention & all your Real Estate Services,

Contact: 

 

DAVID DEE
(626) 203-5676
 

"Client 1st. That's the David Dee Guarantee."

Specializing in: (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY) San Gabriel, Rosemead, Alhambra, Monterey Park, Arcadia, Temple City, El Monte, Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, Walnut, West Covina and

(N. ORANGE COUNTY) Anaheim, Buena Park, Westminster, Garden Grove, Fountain Valley and other surrounding areas.                                                                  

Copyright © 2010 by DAVID DEE. All Rights Reserved. "OMG! Beware Office mates who STEAL your listings !!"

 

Posted by

 

Comments(8)

Michael J. O'Connor
Diamond Ridge Realty - Corona, CA
Eastvale - 951-847-4883

Both were 'together' with the initial contact so I say they should be co-listed.  But that's just my opinion....

May 25, 2010 07:18 PM
Adam Kutchuk Murrieta
Realty Works - Murrieta, CA
Short Sale Specialist Rated 5 Stars

I agree with Michael. Guranteed that it wont be the first or last time that one agent has to do more work than another, so best to close escrow, cut losses, and then set up for the future business.

May 25, 2010 07:27 PM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

David - I have seen more partnerships end up this way than partnerships that work.  Be careful who you work with, and even more who you partner with.

May 25, 2010 07:58 PM
Tom Priester
Paradise Sharks - Jupiter, FL
Paradise Sharks
David, what a tangled web. Some open communication and honesty would have resolved the issues. Sounds to me like a co-listing was the way to go.
May 25, 2010 09:27 PM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

David, I have heard s-o-o-o many horror stories about partnerships and co-listings. I often wonder why some folks bother...

Helping you help others live their American dream...

May 25, 2010 10:24 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

If she is looking for credit for future listings, then she should try to become the co-lister. But, if she is looking just for the money, then split the commission 50/50 and let the listing stay as is and not get the sellers involved.

May 26, 2010 05:13 PM
Charles Edwards Bentonville
Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney & Faucette 479-253-3796 - Bentonville, AR
AR REALTOR, Bentonville Real Estate Agent and Broker

Thought provoking post Todd,

To co-list or not to co-list? |Obviously from the account given above the answer is NOT TO CO-LIST.

Jun 08, 2010 09:32 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

If is is a Co-list and your working together then it should be to benefit both parties.  Not giving credit where credit is deserved can be very disrespectful.  Also the golden rule, what goes around comes around.  My mother had a similar situation but much more server, where this individual tried to take over her business before I was able to run it.  Now that person is completely out of business...careful where you tread. I say no to co-listing, for my mom and I it worked great because we both benefited no matter what...it's family :)

Jun 24, 2010 04:26 AM