Thread: Sandbagged by Realtor

Have you signed paperwork to hire this REALTOR as your buyers agent?

Seems like there could be something illegal, hard to say though.

Was this subject to a written contract?

Unless you've signed a buyer-agent contract I would simply fire your Realtor. I know that I would not want to work with a client that was not happy with my services. If you are in a contract first talk with the Realtor and get out of the contract or, worse case, talk to his Principal Broker manager.

Originally Posted by Richard Miller

I recently made an offer on two different properties in an area that has been hit by layoffs from the aerospace industry. My realtor has been very pushy in trying to get us to build with a particular company -- but in my research I have found that his company cuts corners and about half their customers are not happy with the finished product. I have found another builder that I like and would love to work with them. When my realtor found out that I decided not to go with his builder - the price of the land suddenly shot up $10K. Keep in mid, his builder does not own the land - but obviously weilds some influence over the seller. Isn't our realtor supposed to represent me? Obviously there is a good ole boy thing going on here where unless I go with his builder I cannot afford the property. This seems unethical and possibly illegal? Do I have any recourse?

Your so called agent was counting on the referral fee his builder was going to pay. You just screwed up his pay check. In NC an agent has to disclose these types of referral fees to the client so the client knows the whole story.

If it is possible, you need to distance yourself from this agent and find one who will look out for your best interests.

The builder might not own the land, but might have a business relationship with the entity that does.
You haven't given enough information on this for anyone to give an informed opinion.
Was the land listed on the MLS? Is your agent also the listing agent for the property? How long have you been interested in this land, and how anxious are the sellers to sell it (sellers also get tired of people claiming to be interested in their property and then dickering around for weeks on end). Sometimes sellers just get fed up of dealing with a particular buyer, especially when it comes to vacant land that they don't really need to sell in the first place.

Yes, this certainly seems unethical and maybe even illegal. Regardless of whether you have a contract with your realtor, if he knows private information about you you are in an 'agency relationship'. This means that he is legally obligated to act in your best interests, whether this relationship is written, verbal, or implied. (keep in mind, this is all based on Canadian Laws because I'm Canadian). This person is not permitted to disclose any information about you to anyone, especially the seller (even if they are the listing agent). It sounds like there's something sketchy going on, and I would immediately kick this realtor to the curb.

If you think you have a legal case, talk to a lawyer to see if you can put something together.

Obviously this has something to do with the referral fee he/she could get to the builder he/she was referring to you, how about negotiating with the seller.

Kickbacks always get in the way. I believe agents should only work for the buyer or seller and only refer people or services they believe in