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The Fuzzy's get bamboozled @ a local open house "that's already sold!"

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Compass 0524642

Last Saturday Mr. Fuzzy & his wife Roz attended an area open house that Betty Bookmark was hosting for her sellers. The house was perfect for the Fuzzy's. In fact, his wife sat on the floor and said, "I'm not moving until you put in an offer!" Mr. Fuzzy was anxious to get the process started, but very quickly learned that the "home was already under contract." It was then that Betty offered to show the Fuzzy's other homes in the area. She even guaranteed them a home warranty with their purchase along with an opportunity to win a cruise with her her brokerage. 

Disgustred the Fuzzy's left. They felt like they wasted their time, effort and emotional energy, and Roz was embarrassed that she sat on the floor. 

To this day Betty scoffs at any complaints she receives. She feels since she tells people when they walk in that no misrepresentation of "any kind" is being had. I tend to disagree. If you're going to hold an open house and "advertise it" then it should be promoted as "an open house that is under contract." 

Our MLS has a place where we can promote our open houses on the MLS page. An agent should also disclose under the remarks section that the home is under contract. Additionally, the open house signs should be revised. Is this too extreme? What do you think is fair, and why? 

Posted by
Greg Nino
Realtor
RE/MAX Compass 
Direct & Text 7 days a wk: 832-298-8555 
 
 
Realtor since 2004
Mediator & Arbitrator for the TX Assoc. of Realtors
Member of the Professional Standards Committee for the TX Assoc. of Realtors
Arbitrator for the Comptroller's office for the State of TX for Arbitration of Property Tax Values

 Member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame & Platinum Club

 

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Comments (10)

Ronald DiLalla
Century 21 Discovery DRE 01813824 - Anaheim, CA
No. Orange Cty Real Estate

Absolutely agree with you on this one...Thanks for sharing with us.

Feb 06, 2016 02:52 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

No, it is not too extreme.  That is so deceptive and self-serving of any agent who does as you have described in this post. Frankly, I feel it should not be allowed.  Perhaps that is just too extreme.

Feb 06, 2016 03:05 AM
Liz Wallace
Century 21 Sherlock Homes - Rockville Centre, NY
Broker C21 Sherlock Homes, Rockville Centre, LI, N

I can't believe that an Agent couldn't find a better way to spend their time.  Please tell me their name is not really Fuzzy.

Feb 06, 2016 03:16 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Greg, I agree with you.  Dallas buyers and agents would view this in an unfavorable light.  This agent has no doubt lost a lot of credibility by holding this open house.  There have been cases where a contract is negotiated and signed in the hours preceding an open house and it's impossible to get the word out.  In those cases, Realtors share that info as people walk through the front door.

Feb 06, 2016 03:31 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Greg- these are the things that can give the industry a bad name.  Despite any disclaimers given at the door, the agent has wasted the buyers' time. 

Feb 06, 2016 03:31 AM
Peg Barcelo
Fluff My House! Home Staging Inc. 250.486.6369 - Summerland, BC
The FlufftasticStager from Summerland, BC

This practice seems to be very misleading Greg.

I agree with Kathy about how that would give the industry a bad name...

If I had been Mrs. Fuzzy, I would have been talking to that agent's Broker about misrepresentation...

Feb 06, 2016 05:08 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

The only time there's any excuse is if an offer gets ratified too late to cancel the Open.  But I hate it when a house has been under contract for days with no status change on the MLS and active Open House marketing still goes on.

Feb 06, 2016 06:07 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

That is a listing agent trolling for potential buyers.  If it's under contract it should have been disclosed early.  The only reason would to hold an open house with a home under a contract would be because there's a question of the buyer's ability to finish the deal.

Feb 06, 2016 06:52 AM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Greg Nino I must agree with you. These buyers have every right to be more than ticked off and this gives our profession a bad name.

Feb 06, 2016 06:53 AM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Greg - I would have to agree with you. The listing agent is being deceptive and misleading by having an open house on a home that is already under contract.

Feb 06, 2016 05:11 PM