Yesterday while driving to meet a buyer in downtown Bremerton my cell phone rang. I debated whether to answer because I didn't have my hands free devise. Ooops! Don't tell my son the City of Duvall Police Officer - lol! Oh, that would be ok, he would just laugh!
Anyway, I answered the phone and there was a man on the line that very politely asked me if I had a few moments. I told him I was driving to an appointment but I did have just a couple of minutes. He told me he found me on the Internet and would like to ask me a few questions. He said he was trying to buy a short-sale property. I found this a tad odd. So I asked him if he was in a contract represented by a real estate agent. He said he was. I politely told him that I would be unable to help him because he has a real estate agent. He proceeded to tell me he didn't believe what he was being told by his agent. All I could do was urge him to contact the agents Broker.
I felt so helpless but I was not going to give advice on a real estate transaction where I was not involved. I knew he was a little disappointed but he understood. I felt so helpless.
I guess he found me too late. Maybe if this deal doesn't go together he will give me a call on his next transaction if he isn't under a buyer brokerage agreement.
Jerry, I wish you all the luck! I am sorry I couldn't help.
Author:Jo Soss
Jo Soss is the designated Broker and the owner of Homefront Realty in Bremerton Washington. Selling real estate in the greater Puget Sound area since 1994 she has vast knowledge in all aspects of a real estate transaction. Using today's technology with her signature personal service allows her to achieve complete customer satisfaction.
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I've had that happen also...and I've also been on the other side..where I have had a client who was very anxious..and second guessed what I said.... so you handled it right... :)
Konnie, I always wonder about the other agent. Are they doing things right and the client is just is too suspicious to believe.
I guess your caller believed in old saying "Never Trust a Salesman"? I wonder what made him think that you'd be happy to undermined his buyer agent? I'm glad that you kept your integrity.
He should've let go of his agent, if he really was unhappy with the service he got, then get in touch you.
Lydia, I think that a lot of buyers are not informed of the buying process, of the agency laws and so will second guess. Education is key. Of course with short sales many parts of the transaction are new to everyone. Not all banks process the same way. If you know how it works with one and explain to a buyer that process but there is a different lender involved what you have said can be misconstrued. I hate short sales.
Personally, I think you could have at least listened to what he had to say. He seeked you out, you didn't seek him out, and just like when a seller is already listed and they contact you for an opinion, they can always cancel their current contract and change agents.
I've been contacted many a times by people like this. I listen to their questions and if it's something I can answer, I do. If it's something I can't answer, I don't and won't, but I know I would have bad-mouthed you after hanging up if you wouldn't even listen to my question to see if it was something you could answer.
Maybe laws are different there...in Wisconsin HE called YOU...you didn't call him....and you CAN help him....tooo many agents are clueless about short sales....Most of our short sales were listed with some other agent first...it's called learning the hard way.
Donna, I did listen. I explained my position. I did answer his question. I told him that if he felt uncomfortable with the answers he is receiving from his agent he needed to talk to the broker. He understood the reason why I couldn't speak with him at length and was very thankful.
Sally/David, He was a buyer - not a seller. I think a buyer calling an agent unrelated to the contract is a bit more tricky than a seller calling another agent about how their listing process is going. I will not ever give advice when a buyer is in a contract written by a buyers agent. I am not going to be perceived as crossing that very thin line of practicing law. I will not get into a "he said she said" when it comes to a contract I am not E&O covered on. I have seen the insides of a real estate law suit and not being an agent to the buyer or the seller I was still included. Took me a year to be released.
Seller calling me - different story.
I think you handled it correctly. If he is in a business relationship with a colleague, no matter how incompetent, I would always offer myself as available if he needed a new agent at any time, but while he was involved in the transaction, I think taking the high road is best.
Team Carroll, I do too, I just wish I could have helped more. Was cool that he found me on the net and decided to call me because of what he saw.
I think you did the right thing. In NC, if they call you, you can help, but with another agent involved, I feel your response was best. I'm finding there are lots of agents providing short sale information that may not have the proper knowledge.
Jo, sometimes there's a question of, is this a violation of the code of ethics or is it a violation of ethics, period? (Which is to say, sometimes our personal ethics go above and beyond the Code.)
I think you did the right thing under the circumstances. Yes, if someone else's client contacts us, we can answer their questions. However, is it the right thing to do? If your conscience says no, then that's the right answer.
Diane, short sales are tough - each one different.
Tricia, that is very true. Maybe because of my past experience has made me just that more aware of what can happen.
You did the right thing....that's all you could do given the circumstance.
Portsmouth NH Real Estate
I, too, would have told him that as long as he was under contract, there would be little I could do. After he had ended the exclusive buyer represntation, I could give him my best advice and since we have a fair amount of experience with short sales, he should be well-represented as I'm sure he would be with you!!!!!