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Smooth And Charming, Watch Out

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 311291

Have you ever had a con man as a buyer?

Years ago, I had a buyer who asked to see a wonderful vacant exciting home close to our Baltimore Harbor. He was so smooth, he was so confident, and he was a charmer. He tried to assure me there would be a quick settlement; I was waiting for his proof of funds before submitting his full-price cash offer. 

 

Did I mention he was smooth?

In the meantime, this charmer contacted the listing agent and convinced her he had an excellent investment to make her money. He got really 'friendly' with that listing agent by assuring her he could get her a deal with a sure investment. He had her convinced that he would buy her listing. 

She was somehow smitten and gave him the keys to this property even before there were signatures, which never happened.

He and a few friends moved in, had a wild party, and did some damage. The agent, trying to place blame, reported me. I had a friendly conversation with the buyer's broker explaining that her agent had made friends with this bogus buyer. She was looking to him for a quick investment. And she gave him the keys for easy access!  

 

Have you dealt with a con man?

Would you like to share your story?  

'Con' is short for confidence.

'A con man gains trust and confidence and then can cheat the victim.' 

Know your buyers!

Do your research!

Be Careful!

Note: Not all con men are male.

 

Posted by

Margaret Rome
HomeRome Realty
Broker/Owner/Realtor®

Baltimore, Maryland


Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

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Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI
HomeSmart Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell

Hi Margaret, yes you said he was smooth. So smooth that the camera image would not adhere to his skin. Although maybe more slimy than smooth. 😎

Mar 30, 2023 10:17 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Thanks for stopping by Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI

Mar 31, 2023 08:32 AM
Sham Reddy CRS
Howard Hanna RE Services, Dayton, OH - Dayton, OH
CRS

Thanks for sharing Margaret!!!

I never had that experience, but have heard many cases of that nature. As professionals we need to be a constant vigil for such incidents. 

Mar 31, 2023 03:55 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Always good to see you, Sham Reddy CRS 

Mar 31, 2023 08:33 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Wow, that must have been quite the experience both in terms of Mr. Smooth and in terms of the agent trying to blame you for something she did. Geez.

Mar 31, 2023 05:23 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Kat Palmiotti, The broker, had heard an entirely different version of what happened.

Mar 31, 2023 08:34 AM
Kat Palmiotti

I'll bet she did!

Mar 31, 2023 08:56 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Margaret. Fortunately, this is not something I've had experience with. Then again, I also have a pretty good nose for those smooth operators. But what a story! And a great "warning" for those who don't have a good nose.

Mar 31, 2023 05:31 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Nina Hollander, Broker  My nose, was pretty good. I did not submit the offer and I'm still waiting for the  POF or EMD.

Mar 31, 2023 08:38 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 as long as you're not holding your breath while you're waiting, Margaret! :)

Mar 31, 2023 08:59 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Margaret - time spent in real estate seems to open the door to introductions of all kinds of people.  And many sorts of charm too.  

Mar 31, 2023 05:32 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

He oozed that charm; MichaelMichael Jacobs 

Mar 31, 2023 08:40 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Hello, Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 - I've encountered some slick talkers yet I can see and hear right through them. 

Never would I ever release the keys to a would-be buyer until after the transactions closed. 

HA- what kind of blame could the listing agent dish up when the agent was the one who gave Mr. Con the keys?   

Some People! 

Mar 31, 2023 07:10 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist

And she was not a new agent. He managed to "get her" by enticing her with a sure investment. I also did not know he was in contact with her.

Mar 31, 2023 08:43 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 ,

You are right these smooth talkers are not all male. Excellent story....when it sounds too good to be true ...it is!

Mar 31, 2023 12:21 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Good to see you, Dorrie. So true if it sounds too good to be true..it is.

Mar 31, 2023 12:23 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Margaret one of the few things I have not had to deal with in my time as a Loan Originator is a con man, and hope I never have to deal with one.

Mar 31, 2023 01:14 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

Glad to hear George Souto 

Mar 31, 2023 06:11 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Yes, I've come across more than just one.  And, yes, they can be very smooth.

Mar 31, 2023 01:45 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Margaret, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Mar 31, 2023 01:45 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Yes I have Margaret.  He seemed to have an ability to charm everyone in the room and it surprised me how easily they 'bought' whatever he was selling.  But I knew better.  He was a narcissistic.

Mar 31, 2023 04:05 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Myrl Jeffcoat, Yes, so smooth. Thanks so much for the feature in OFC!

Mar 31, 2023 06:13 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Broker  They sound the same.

''He seemed to be able to charm everyone in the room, and it surprised me how easily they 'bought' whatever he was selling.''  I also knew better.  

Mar 31, 2023 06:19 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

I can spot them a mile away......as I'm sure you can!

Mar 31, 2023 06:43 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is a good story to share. Every agent needs to be alert for scams. Many are totally unexpected.

Apr 01, 2023 08:52 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Roy Kelley, You are right. Because of how smooth they can be, we need to be alert.

Apr 01, 2023 09:23 AM