A while back I posted a comment about a Realtor that was stalking another agent open house looking for clients. I have a follow-up story to share with all of you about that agent. People always talk about "getting what's coming" - I think this is the best example I can think of.
I was working on expired and canceled over the weekend. It yielded a bunch of appointments this week but one I am very interested in. It is from a client that canceled on the agent we met in the stairwell that Saturday afternoon. Apparently, initial contact was made when the agent approached her in a neighborhood grocery store while the client was walking and talking on her cell phone with her husband about the prospect of selling. Add eavesdropping to the agent's list of sins.
Anyhow, the agent apparently came off very sweet and even offered to do the listing at a discount of 3% stating the market was so bad that it would take more time and effort than an average listing. They agreed to meet so the agent could present. They met, she presented (see below) and the listing was made. Now for the interesting part.
The client told me that during her presentation, they were told that the Real Estate market was full of unlicensed agents acting covertly to make money and that there were numerous holes in the Real Estate licensing process in Illinois that could be exploited so people didn't even have to sit for the test if they knew how to work the system. Therefore, it would not be unreasonable to believe that ANY agent (other than her) could be walking in to their home and soliciting for a listing that they had no legal right to service. She apparently went on to say that many of the local competing brokerage offices were well-known to make a regular habit of seeking out "non-licensees" and putting them on the streets to get listings at higher commission rates to fund payoffs and hush monies. So, as a favor to them , she would be happy to present her license to them so they wouldn't have any doubt she was legit. (clever pitch if you think about it - totally illegal - but clever.)
The clients apparently asked how long the standard listing period was. The agent apparently told them that the State had mandated that the listing period can be no less than 1 year from the date of signature. So, to be in compliance with the law, she would have to take the listing for the period of one year from signing date. (totally untrue).
They asked what their 3% was going to get them in the way of marketing. She presented them with a typed page of the scope of marketing they would receive. They were not allowed to keep it but were allowed to read it while she was there. She presented it as the standard litany of services they provide in order to properly service a listing. They were impressed, they signed.
Fast forward one month of complete inactivity and no contact from the agent. Numerous questioning phone calls later, they got a call back. They apparently asked simple questions like why wasn't there a yard sign yet? It's on order. We have been looking on Realtor.net for our listing to be showcased but we haven't seen it yet. Where is that? I will have to check. What about open houses? Weren't we supposed to have open houses? Yes but we cannot do them right now, the market is bad and it won't sell until the market is right.
Fast forward another month of inactivity. Several angry phone calls finally get a response. What are you doing for us? I am working under the contract you signed. What about advertising? Look at your contract. If you want me to do more than what I am already doing, it is going to cost you about $500.00 per month in advertising fees. (outrage, expletive, etc...) Attorney gets involved. Agent willingly canceled listing agreement. Client, with attorney help, files complaint of misrepresentation and fraud. As of today - agents license is now suspended.
Just desserts me thinks.....