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Is Your Real Estate Agent Honest About What They Really Know?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with NoVa Brokers LLC 0225 094634 VA/ 643686 MD

Someone who called me today at the law firm I work at, was asking for legal advice before pursuing a short sale with a real estate agent.  After asking some questions, she stated the following:

 

The Agent she wanted to represent her interests told her that he is very successful with short sales and very experienced.

 
      He is working some short sales right now that are going well.

 

That he closed on some short sales and were very successful.

 

That if the short sale doesn’t work, then you can give the home back to the mortgage company.

 
After a little research, we found out that the agent has not performed one short sale yet and had no experience at all.  When confronted, he told them that they may need someone with even more experience to handle their situation as they withdrew their listing with him.

 
Please get PROFESSIONAL advice with all questions you have pertaining to your financial hardships.  Legal consultation is cheaper than some of these retainers being charged for short sales.

 
By the way I forgot to tell you this agent charges a non-refundable retainer of $1500 since he is so experienced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.stellabarbour.com/default.asp

Posted by

FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS

 

STELLA BARBOUR

NoVa Brokers LLC

1483 Chain Bridge Road Suite 103

McLean, Virginia 22101

571-814-3002 OFFICE

703-999-6104 CELL

571-281-2866 FAX

www.novabrokersllc.com

stellabarbour@yahoo.com

Licensed in Virginia & Maryland

 http://www.novabrokersllc.com/

 

 

 

Lisa Bosques
Burien, WA
Wow.  That agent must want a listing pretty bad to want to take on a short sale. And to ask for a $1500 retainer is quite...interesting indeed.
Feb 06, 2008 01:14 PM
Stella Barbour
NoVa Brokers LLC - Vienna, VA
Principal Broker, Serving Virginia and Maryland
Lisa - You are right.  I checked the MLS and he did have other listings but no short sales so it wasn't like he did not have any business.  I can see if he was trying to pick up new type of business, but honesty is the best policy.
Feb 06, 2008 01:16 PM
Jonelle Simons
Windermere Real Estate - Park City, UT

THAT is funny... I have never heard of an agent asking for a retainer!

 

Jonelle Simons
Windermere Real Estate - Park City
http://www.jparkcity.com

 

Feb 06, 2008 01:20 PM
Stella Barbour
NoVa Brokers LLC - Vienna, VA
Principal Broker, Serving Virginia and Maryland
Jonelle- some agents ask for a retainer to cover their costs anywhere from $200-$500 but not $1500. Thanks for commenting.  
Feb 06, 2008 01:22 PM
Gregory Maley
Sold Buy the Sea Realty & R.E.N.T. - Wilmington, NC
REALTOR, GRI, CBR, SHS, e-PRO, ABR
I'm sure he must have attended a seminar!  Good for you helping them out!
Feb 06, 2008 01:23 PM
Jason Grams
none - Roseville, CA
In California if you try that they'll yank your license!  No upfront fees allowed when homeowner's are in default.
Feb 06, 2008 01:23 PM
Stella Barbour
NoVa Brokers LLC - Vienna, VA
Principal Broker, Serving Virginia and Maryland
Gregory - I never thought about that.  Maybe he did.  That is a good point.  Thanks for your comment.
Feb 06, 2008 01:24 PM
Richard Perkins
R PERKINS REALTY - Stockton, CA
Wow that is a good one. Thanks for the post and Good luck! Takes all kinds in this market lol
Feb 06, 2008 01:30 PM
Stella Barbour
NoVa Brokers LLC - Vienna, VA
Principal Broker, Serving Virginia and Maryland
Richard - Thanks for commenting. It does take all kinds in this market.
Feb 06, 2008 01:33 PM
Charlottesville Solutions
Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA

Agents should work what they specialize in and always be honest with the public!

your friend in Charlottesville

Feb 06, 2008 11:42 PM
Stella Barbour
NoVa Brokers LLC - Vienna, VA
Principal Broker, Serving Virginia and Maryland

Hi Charles.  You are right.  I would have hated to see someone pay $1500 and possibly get nothing in return but a foreclosed home.

Feb 07, 2008 12:09 AM
Carol Zingone
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty - Jacksonville Beach, FL
Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS
Stella - that is horrible! I know newish agents hate to admit they have no experience, but you can "partner" with another more experienced agents and say your "team" has experience, and that does not harm the transaction.
Feb 08, 2008 02:39 AM
Stella Barbour
NoVa Brokers LLC - Vienna, VA
Principal Broker, Serving Virginia and Maryland
Carol - I know that was horrible.  Thanks for commenting.
Feb 08, 2008 02:52 AM
Lynn Pineda
eXp Realty - Boca Raton, FL
Real Estate Promises delivered in SE Florida
Stella how can he possibly charge a fee? Does he have no conscious?
Feb 08, 2008 12:34 PM
Bill Schwent
Casa Tierra Realty - Santa Fe, NM
Santa Fe Broker

Stella,

Talk with the managing broker in that office about this situation.  If you are not satisified, consider filing a complaint with the local board/association of Realtors.

Feb 08, 2008 04:46 PM
Stella Barbour
NoVa Brokers LLC - Vienna, VA
Principal Broker, Serving Virginia and Maryland

Lynn - a lot of people charge a fee to cover some of the costs but when I heard $1500, I was shocked.

 

Bill - The Managing Broker is now aware of it but I think he is the one who put it all together for his agents. 

Feb 09, 2008 08:24 AM
Wendy Rulnick
Rulnick Realty, Inc. - Destin, FL
"It's Wendy... It's Sold!"
Stella, It's scary....  I am seeing some unethical behavior in my market from those claiming short sale experience, too.  Thanks for calling them out. Wendy
Feb 09, 2008 09:32 AM
Stella Barbour
NoVa Brokers LLC - Vienna, VA
Principal Broker, Serving Virginia and Maryland
Wendy - Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Feb 09, 2008 12:14 PM