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You are going to question MY ethics?

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams

Other Agent:

I did not pursue your listing.  Your seller called me.  I want you to know that I told her I could not speak to her until she terminated your contract.

Yes, I removed the keys from the lockbox.  Why?  The seller seems to think that you have been LIVING in her house!  She left a month ago.  When she got there Sunday, she said the toilets were horrible, coffee grinds were in the sink, and someone had been cooking on her stove.  The neighbors told her that you car is there late at night. 

>Do not call me and accuse me of being in violation of MLS rules.  The keys were removed only after I recieved written authorization from the sellers.  I understand that you have expressed interest in buying the house.  You beg the seller to reduce every chance that you get......could you have a motive? 

 

>I was nice to you on the phone yesterday.  Yes, I find it very ironic that the day the termination was signed someone is dying to see the house.  It is my understanding that she is bringing her husband to look next week.

>Now I am always fair, if you would have given me either the name of the agent or the buyer, I would have made an exlcusion on my contract.  You wanted the listing for another two weeks so that you could work the deal. 

>But you tell me that I am in violation of MLS rules?  I play fair.  That was a low blow.  Please talk to your Broker in Charge.  My listing agreement was faxed to the seller on Monday.  After, I recieved a fax with you termination of contract.  It was dated for Friday.  But the sellers wanted it back on the market yesterday.  I will be glad to give you a copy of the listing.

>You may not ask for my advice but I will give it to you.  Compensation of the selling agent is key to getting people in the door.  If you choose to lower your commission, lower the listing side.  The excess of inventory probably got your listing passed up. 

>Oh by the way, we are offering a $2,000 Bonus to the buyers agent through the end of the month.  I would love to work something out with you! 

>I wish you the best in the future.  Also, thank you for attending my brokers open house yesterday!  I appreciate your feedback.  I am so glad that you and your coworkers enjoyed my food.  One question that I am dying to know:  Did you attend before or after you left my listing coordinator that message? 

Comments(15)

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Chad Baird
Re/Max Spirit - Dayton, OH

How can an agent live (or even use) a clients house and expect not to get caught????  I did an open house once and the seller told me there was plenty of food and drink and showed me how to use the remote in case I got bored and nobody showed.  I was not even comfortable with that! 

Hope it all works out. 

Jul 24, 2008 02:55 AM
Katie Evans
Keller Williams - Greenville, NC

Thanks Chad!  I guess in a sense it did. Got a voice mail message that she had removed the lockbox.  Nothing else was said.

RESPECT is such a simple thing to give.  It is a driving force of my business.

Jul 24, 2008 02:58 AM
Dick & Sandy Beals
Wilmington Real Estate 4U Wilmington, NC - Wilmington, NC

Katie,

Send the letter and tell her broker!  She is in serious violation of many rules, the seller is well to be rid of her!  Good luck with your new listing.

Dick Beals

Jul 24, 2008 04:25 AM
Katie Evans
Keller Williams - Greenville, NC

Dick.  THanks.  I am going to just spend my time focusing on my new listing....

Jul 24, 2008 06:36 AM
Michael Johnson
Carolina One Real Estate - Goose Creek, SC
Metro Charleston SC

WOW!  What a remarkable story!

Jul 24, 2008 06:38 AM
Katie Evans
Keller Williams - Greenville, NC

Michael........Trouble is my middle name.  I run across the craziest things!

Jul 24, 2008 07:16 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Wow, sounds like you did everything in the right order, but I would like to find out if she really was living there or not, that maybe a violation also!

Todd Clark, Helping Families Home - www.IFoundYourNewHome.com

Aug 18, 2008 05:32 PM
Larry Riggs
Century 21 Redwood - Frederick, MD
GRI, SRS, MRP Your Frederick County Specialist

Katie,

    One thing I noticed in your opening paragraph. I don't know about your state laws but NAR and my state agree on one point. If the seller initiates the conversation you can indeed talk to them even if the previous listing contract is still in effect. Otherwise it sounds like you acted honorably. Our Md real estate commission and NAR are very adamant about protecting the public. I understand you want to focus on the listing but I also think you have an obligation to report this behavior or at least strongly encourage the seller to do so.

Aug 18, 2008 11:33 PM
Katie Evans
Keller Williams - Greenville, NC

Larry, Thanks for commenting.  I agree  and I urged the sellers to report it.  There are always two sides to every story.  I wanted to make sure that I knew the whole truth before I reported anyone. 

Todd, Curiosity has gotten the best of me!  I wanted to know too...

Luckily, the house went under contract.  Hopefully, it will close September 10th. 

Aug 24, 2008 12:54 PM
Regina Lundeen
Delaware Association of REALTORS® - Rehoboth Beach, DE

I would have to report that agent because she has access to alot of houses, goodness knows what she could be going in those houses.

Aug 24, 2008 01:16 PM
Katie Evans
Keller Williams - Greenville, NC

Yes, I agree Regina but I didnt want to report it unless I knew for sure.  That is between the seller and the other agent.  All I wanted to do was sell it! 

Aug 24, 2008 01:20 PM
Anna Matsunaga
Team Momentum Keller Williams Realty Tacoma - Lakewood, WA
Seller specialist, Certified Negotiation Expert

Wow....that's all I can say!

Aug 24, 2008 01:35 PM
Katie Evans
Keller Williams - Greenville, NC

Thanks Anna.  That was all I could say when it happened.  She just walked right in and made herself at home......literally!

Aug 24, 2008 01:37 PM
Katie Evans
Keller Williams - Greenville, NC

Thanks Anna.  That was all I could say when it happened.  She just walked right in and made herself at home......literally!

Aug 24, 2008 01:40 PM
Katie Evans
Keller Williams - Greenville, NC

Lindsay,  Best I can gather yes she was living there.  It is under contract so I hope it sells!

Aug 25, 2008 03:41 AM