Taking action against an agent

**edteach** · 02-03-2012, 07:48 AM

I put an offer in on a home in North Port Fla. It was accepted by the owner and delivered by their agent from Coldwell banker residential. The agent took the contract directly to the seller, no email or other way of having them sign. The agent knew that the owner was in divorce and that the owners husband was not in the state. Since then we had a home inspection and other things done and the owner now wants to back out of the sale. We have found that the owner forged her husbands signature in front of the agent from Coldwell. I have filed a complaint form against the agent with the real estate board of Fla.

I also contacted a lawyer and was told that this is illegal and she could be party to a crime.

Has any one ever had any experience in something like this? I can not imagine a real estate agent worth her salt getting a listing with out making sure that both parties want to sell. To me this is grouse negligence.

**CC Lifestyle Realty** · 02-03-2012, 08:29 AM

You claim you have "found" proof meaning you have in your posession proof of such actions. Is it by word of mouth or actual physical proof? Making such claims are serious and you should be very careful because if the agent did nothing wrong she can sue you for slander. I would interview several lawyers before you take any action on this.

Least of all is the house really that important for you to spend all this time and money? I would report the agent to their local association and find another home and agent. The association will investigate and follow up on your accusations. If they find something was done incorrectly she will be punished. The associations take this stuff seriously.

**MassRealEstate** · 02-04-2012, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by CC Lifestyle Realty

You claim you have "found" proof meaning you have in your posession proof of such actions. Is it by word of mouth or actual physical proof? Making such claims are serious and you should be very careful because if the agent did nothing wrong she can sue you for slander. I would interview several lawyers before you take any action on this.

Least of all is the house really that important for you to spend all this time and money? I would report the agent to their local association and find another home and agent. The association will investigate and follow up on your accusations. If they find something was done incorrectly she will be punished. The associations take this stuff seriously.

this person is right^^^, an agent could have left the paperwork with the sellers, the agent could have been told the signer had authority to sign, etc. Proving that the agent was a party to some devious plot to forge and falsify documents will be all but impossible i would think. certainly making a complaint regarding it to the local realestate board and the local licencing authority is fine for you to do in order that your feelings are recorded someplace, but without proof (IE: signed and sworn statements from both of these sellers admiting to the fact that this agent was a party to their forgary or something along those lines) your not going to get anywhere but a long waste of your time and effort (and possibly upsetting this agent to a point where they have proof of you attempting to slander them falsly without reasonable cause other then your simply pissed off).

Edit: I should further explain that IF in fact you spent money on a homeinspection (and DID NOT ask for consideration for anything!)... in other words, you were ready, willing and able to move forward and close on this property EXACTLY as the signed OFFER was written, then you would certainly have cause to be compensated for those monies you spent (this would NOT come from the realtor, but rather the selller).