Realtor, you are Switzerland. I had a company call me this past week asking me to do an interior BPO on a short sale. It was in an area I tend to deny because of the distant and accessibility. After I ran the price up, I said yes.
On Saturday, I called the listing agent to gain access to the property. He said, "Be careful. This guy is uncooperative and dangerous. Get in and get out as quick as possible. The house is a mess. Don't hang around." I went wondering what I was going to encounter.
When I got there, I knocked on the door and the homeowner answered. He said, "Come on in." He was friendly, though a bit intoxicated. We talked for a while. I went through the house, did my assessment, took photos and talked to the owner.
What I learned in the process was that the listing agent is a friend of the wife in a divorce case. He listed the house at a 30 day quick sale price. It's a fine house which should be listed at 100% more than it's listed at. Area comps reveal it's radically under-priced. It appears that the goal was to get the house sold as quickly as possible so the wife could be done with the marriage.
Friends, we're Realtors, not law enforcement, not legal representatives, not marriage counselors, etc. When we represent a client it should be a blank slate and for their benefit. Divorce sales are not uncommon for most agents, and it is not in our best interest to side with one side of a marriage dispute no matter which partner we know.
This house has an offer on it that is likely 50% of what it should sell for. The homeowner asked me if he had to take the offer. I almost hated to get involved at any level, but the truth is, "No." I left it there and moved on. Please, Realtors, be Switzerland when dealing with cases like this. I would imagine there could be legal ramifications if we only represent one side of a couple in a divorce sale.
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