Texas realtor - unethical?
926168
The senario you describe happens too often.  The problem is this - the seller has the house off the market (it's under contract, so he can't just sell to someone else), and the current buyer is telling them "I know it's past the contract closing date, but just give me until next Tuesday and we'll have it all together....." \n\nSometimes the buyer DOES get it all together and close, and if they do, it's better to wait a few extra days than to start new with a new buyer.  Sometimes they don't, and the seller ends up pretty angry that the first buyer dragged it on..... First buyer spent $ on inspections an appraisals already, and maybe the seller already spent $ on repairs to try to make this first deal happen, which adds to the pressure to continue with it.\n\nHere's what you need to do.  Have your agent submit your offer again, and include the TREC Addendum for "Back-Up" Contract.  This form basically says..."If the first deal dies by ______ (date), then this contract takes effect."\n\nYou do need to actually negotiate the terms, price, etc. as if the house was available to you right now.  Both buyer and seller SIGN the contract and addendum, and the earnest money and option fee get delivered.   Title companies are hesitant to receipt another contract once one is already there, so maybe the checks and contract need to be held by the listing broker.\n\nThe seller still has the right to extend the first deal as much as they're willing to keep trying, but if your offer is better, then the seller would be wise to stop giving the first buyer so much time.\n\nGood luck, hope this helps.  Tell your agent he can contact me if he wants, but probably his broker would tell him a similar strategy.\n\nOh yeah, also put a time limit for a response from the seller.  And make sure you've got a really good pre-aproval leter from your lender.
223935
IF you have good furniture, and no pets, there's always Showhomes of America. \n\nI've done this, and I haven't paid rent in two and half years.  I live in a house on the market for over $600,000 in the DFW metroplex (it's a sweet house).\n\nThere are some downsides.  If a Realtor wants to show the house, you have to leave.  And you have to already have a house worth of very nice furniture.
470537
I checked out the site.  It looks ok, but I don't think it's the way I would go if I were selling property.  I'd rather find a real estate agent that knows the area
301519
You can fire your Realtor at ANY time.  Tell him/her you don't feel like they are representing you well enough.  If you paid them to just list your home in MLS, then you should have been given a discount for lack of servicing.
190938
I'm a licensed Realtor in California, we have escrows, not real estate attorneys who do all the legal paperwork.  Many people think that by not choosing a Realtor, they save money.  This is not always the case.  Professional Realtors, please note I said "professional" Realtors do much more that collect commissions.  I only show my listing to qualified buyers who have been APPROVED by a good loan company.  Also, in your Dad's case, by working with a Realtor, he is hiring someone who will bring the buyers to his home.  You don't know the number of people I have spoken to who decided to hire a Realtor after trying to sell their property themselves and being scared after experiencing "spooky" people knocking on their door to see the property then returning later to try and rob them.  In other words, you don't know who you are opening your doors to -- burgulars, child molesters, etc. Then there are the scam artist looking to take advantage of the inexperienced seller.  A Realtor knows when something is not in order.
854896
Realtors are not allowed to discuss specific commission percentage, in a public forum. We can however, discuss the commission with someone who is retaining our service, either listing their home for sale, or if we are acting as a buyers agent. \nI suggest you discuss your needs with a local Realtor.
445377
hi. I kind of do this for a living in Texas and don't know where you are, so the rules could be different.  I would suggest that you contact the contact person at the state and real-friendly-like start there by asking if you could get a copy of the "title work" they "ran" (conducted) to arrive at their ownership information.  This would be the easiest way to determine what the actual percentages owned by each person are under the two lots.\n\nIt sometimes happens that when land is deeded or willed out even to a group of people, the percentages of ownership can be unequal. For instance, if your grandparents passed the lots by their wills to their 10 children thusly,"I want my 5 sons and four daughters, Cindy, Amy, Sarah, and Sue to share and share alike in 75% of the lots, but I want my remaining daughter, Jean to have an undivided 25% of the lots b/c she took care of me in my old age."  Thus Jean would be entitled to 25% of the money from the state, and the others only divide up the remaining 75%.\n\nThis could happen if the 5 who deeded to the other 5 said it similarly, "We deed our interest 75% to our siblings Joe, John, Cindy and Sue, undivided, but deed the remaining undivided 25% to Jean, who took care of Dad."  See?\n\nHowever, if all the transfers were made equal and undivided amongst all 10, then the same way amongst the 5, then that one Aunt is out of luck. She may have gotten "ripped off" by having paid more to her siblings than the others did, but tho that would stink, it wouldn't get her more.  The deed wording controls.\n\nSo for you to be able to help: You have to see the documents that put the title into your uncles and aunts the way it stands today. If the state can't or won't help you, then go to a title company in the county where the land is and tell them you will pay for a title check, or a title insurance commitment.  Or go to a reputable real estate lawyer who can go to the county records and check them for you. It is a little expensive, but will shut Auntie up.\n\nGood luck. Remember--she may have a reason for thinking as she does, that goes beyond just greed. Old people often remember things that happened. I find talking to them very useful in my work.
765252
I'm not sure what you're asking. Check with a real estate lawyer.
1032785
Foreclosure is not right or wrong for a Christian. If a Christian can prevent it, he should. Is the 'loan Service Co.' being fair according to their contract? If so, then the family should move or at least try to sell and work it out. If this company is what is known as a 'predatory lender' then the family should hire a lawyer and sue them in Court.
460727
I am a Realtor in Oregon and Washington. I started in the business in 1986. I take 15 clock hours of continuing education per year for each state. Even yesterday, I  asked my colleagues about something I hadn't run across before. \n\nSure, you want to save the commission. I don't blame you. But mistakes are expensive. \n\nTwo weeks ago I listed a condo for sale. The day after my sign went up, another went up 'By Owner.' Three days later, mine was sold, but I had two buyers left over. \n\nI called the 'By Owner' guy to see if he had sold yet and he was excited because he had sold his, too. My customer sold his condo for $130,000 (1,000 over full price) and paid a $6,500 commission. His net will be about $123,500.\n\nThe By Owner? He sold his for $115,000! He saved the commission but it cost him $15,000! He could have sold for $130,000!\n\nIt was as if he had sold the condo and paid a 11.5% commission!\n\nHere's a link to the one I sold: http://www.rmlsweb.com/Reports.asp?CMAID=8243123&Time=2003\nYou can click on the address and get a pop-up map of the location.\n\nGo with a Realtor, Please?\n\nIf you want, I can refer you to an experienced, full time agent in  your hometown that I will personally interview.\n\nYou can contact me toll free or by email. \n\nBest wishes,\n\nLeigh M\nPortland\nhttp://www.LeighMaynard.com
983665
CAVEAT EMPTOR..."Buyer Beware". Their only recourse is a good lawyer. Realtor Boards are not judges and juries, but the State Licensing Board can censure a licensee for misrepresentation. From what you have written, they have a good case. \n\nThe Broker is the one responsible for all these mishaps, he is looking at a lawsuit. So sorry this happened, there are good realtors out here who adhere to the laws.
808305
That info is in the MLS. Now if you don't have asses to one.....better make friends with a Realtor.
1012807
Realtors and their employing broker carry Errors and Ommissions insurance for issues like yours. Talk to your agent about the problem and if he/she does not resolve it then speak to the Broker. If neither party is willing to correct the error then contact the state licensing department and find out who their insurance is with and file an E&O claim. To do this you will need proof of the error so hopefully you have something in writing or some e-mails between you and your Realtor agreeing that your willing to offer X and the Realtor made a mistake either honestly or otherwise.\n\nIf the agent/broker is unwilling to work with you on this issue, your best alternative may be to fire them and retain the services of another agent.\n\nBest of luck.\n\nKevin
1071057
Get a good, agressive realtor who really knows your market.
1073258
There is this concept called "caveat emptor" which means "buyer beware". It essentially means that courts are going to place buyers with the responsibility to ask questions about things that look out of place when buying a home. Since you saw their belonging on top of crates and didn't ask "why", this may be used against you but I doubt it. (Was there anything else that was obvious something was wrong iwth the house?--if so, you are gonna have a hard case).\nBut besides this concept, I am going to say "yes" you have a case for fraud. Please remember that there is a statute of limitations (meaning the end time when you can sue) for fraud, depending on your state statute which is typically 2 years from the date of the incident which I suppose in your case would be when you viewed the home. \nWhat would even strengthen your case is if you directly asked them, with a witness of course, "Are there any problems? Is there any damage?etc.---something along those lines" because then you can point to the previous owners as directly committing fraud on you. However, if the owners simply did not say anything about the sewer system and you didn't ask any questions like this that required and received an affirmative answer, you might be in for a harder fight.\nConclusion- Gather your facts more specifically and consult your state statute for the time limit on the staute of limitations.
616148
I've found that you're better off giving them the control.  Tell them that as a preferred customer you will charge 2 points.  They can take that as front points or ysp.  They decide.  The other guy is right, you won't find the documentation you're looking for.  \n\nOh, they know that what you are offering is fair.  Especially if they've bought a house before.  Even if they didn't, they're probably comparing your offer to other companies they've shopped for in their mind.   They're going to keep saying that you're charging too much.  That's their job as consumers.  Set your price and stick to it.  If you've done your job of earning their trust, they'll stick with you.
536578
Just another way for Realtor to make money. A bit like extended insurance on a home appliance. Not wise.