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Privacy Issue

By
Real Estate Sales Representative with Crye*Leike Real Estate Leaders, Inc.

What does privacy mean? One definition I found states: freedom from unauthorized intrusion - one's right to privacy.

Recently, in a transaction that I was involved with I found this issue of privacy one of great importance and feel like a lesson to learn is in there somewhere. The selling agent found out from a closing company representative that the buyer, my client, was having trouble securing the loan due to a bankruptcy issue that had arisen during the process. The closing company rep was given the information from my buyer's lender and came full circle back to me through the selling agent. As this was the first I had heard of this information I spoke with my buyer and the lender to figure out a game plan and how we were going to proceed. Needless to say the lender was furious that this information had been given out by the closing company rep to the selling agent. While I let that be the lender's battle, I proceeded with damage control. I feel that my buyer's privacy was violated. However, I in no way would cover up the facts. They could have been gleaned in a better way. I'm learning to ask lots of questions on a bank's pre-approval (which I had one in this case). Through several calls, faxes, etc. later we have now gotten to the point of terminating the contract. Lesson learned by this agent in Searcy, Arkansas.

Roxanne Biggleston, Realtor in Searcy, Arkansas, Crye-Leike Real Estate Leaders, Inc. 501-230-3674, 501-279-3600, roxanne.biggleston@crye-leike.com, http://www.roxannebiggleston.com/.

 

 

 

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Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos
Some states would see this as a clear breach.  This is so often the case when people start sharing info.
Feb 27, 2008 06:53 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Roxanne...

A Bankruptcy is a matter of public record here in Florida.

I would think the same holds true in your part of the world.

If that is the case then under no circumstances is this really a privacy issue.

When someone files bankruptcy it is almost impossible not to have the world find out about it.

The Internet makes this stuff easy :)

P.S. I would cut lose a Buyer who didn't feel the 'need' to mention that to me.  

TLW...ROAR!

Feb 27, 2008 06:54 AM
Larry DeGroat
Realty Professionals, Inc. - Searcy, AR
ABR, CRS, e-PRO, GRI in Searcy
Good information.  It is hard to know everything about your buyers.  The lender should have spoken up with the client and told them that there might be a problem due to the bankruptcy and never should have discussed it with anyone else unless they had the written permission from the client.  Good luck on the next one!
Feb 27, 2008 07:31 AM