Two days ago,I received a phone call from one of my closest fellow real estate agents at my office. She told me that she had a referral for me -Great. She gave me the telephone number of the person and I called her friend. But it was actually it was the friend's co-worker who I needed to speak to. So we are talking. To cut a long story short,she tells me that she is looking for another real estate agent. The one she is working with is not doing a good job. And she told me the problem. She told me that she got to closing only to find out that their is a tax lien on the property -What? Are you kidding me?
I feel very bad for her. She is trying to get a house through the HPAP Program and she has until August to buy a house using the program. She has worked with five real estate agents but yet she has had no luck on buying a house. She is mad because she has spent money on home inspection,appraisal and title search. She also wants her earnest money deposit back but she can't get a hold of the office administrator in the office. I told her that she needs to walk into the office and talk to the broker. If the broker is not helping her with her situation,then she should probably go to the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. I really bad for her. I wish that I could've done more to help her. She told me that she doesn't trust real estate agents anymore-I didn't like hearing that. But this is a good reason why some people don't like real estate agents. Its sad that one bad apple can spoil it for the whole bunch.
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Well Lanre, Now she has a really great Exit agent that will change her mind! We go through this all the time- We have to mend fences broken by other agents! You can do it and you will have client for life! PLUS... all her referrals!
Barbara -Thank you so much. I really appreciate that -SERIOUSLY. I really believe that I can help with her situation. I am trying to do everything that I can to help her. I will let you know what happens. Thanks for your comments.
I'm confused. Isn't that the fault of the title company and not the Realtor®? How can she get to a closing and paid for a title search without the title search picking it up?
Lanre- I hate to hear her bad luck but somethimes thing come up beyond a Realtors control.
Cyd- I would bet the sellers knew there was a title lien. Either he didn't disclose it or the listing agent didn't ask. So, it could have been a Realtor's fault. Besides the title work would have found a tax lien well prior to closing.
Someone definitely dropped the ball on this one. That's ok Lanre, their loss is going to be your gain and more! Show them what you got!
Cyd-Don't be confused. I am a little confused too. I guess since I don't feel that she told me everything that I need to know I guess? But tt is the fault of the title company not to catch that. Thanks for your comments.
Jimmy- I am not blaming the real estate agent because I don't really know the whole situation. I am just going by what the woman told me. Thanks for your comments.
Frank- Hopefully I can convince her to buy a house and restore her trust in real estate agents. Thanks for your comments.
Lanre, don't hope buddy, just do it, you know you can. This is a prime moment for you to shine and show her the difference between an agent and a real estate professional. I got faith in you and keep us updated. ( I may need to borrow your tricks in the future if I get in that position!) :)
Lanre - It is nice to know that there are agents like you who won't drop the ball thus avoid giving clients a bad impression of the industry.
Lanre - It is nice to know that there are agents like you who won't drop the ball thus avoid giving clients a bad impression of the industry.
Frank - I said that because I don't know what she is going to do. But since you said that,I am claiming it with faith that she is going to end up using me as her real estate professional. Thanks for that bro. I really appreciate that. I would definitely keep you posted.
Jennifer- When I get the opportunity which I will,I am definitely not going to drop the ball. This can lead to many things. She works in a hospital. I am definitely going to be praying that I become her selling agent. Thanks for your comments Jennifer.
Many times people forget that their bad actions do damage to others reputations even when they don't know them. Work hard for her and you will earn her trust.
Lanre - This is just amazing! Five real estate agents? My thoughts are that there has got to be more to the story than she is telling.
Lanre - (You have such good posts) I agree with Michael's comment. 5 agents? Hmmmmm. I would do more exploring or the number could be 6. :(
Lanre, I hope this works out for you. She won't find a better, more trust worthy person than you. Makes me nervous that she has had so many agents. Can you call the title company and get more details? See if something is "amiss"? Best of luck to you friend, and have a GREAT Memorial Day!
I hope this works out for you too, but if this lady has gone through 5 agents, I think there is more to the story. I've had a couple of homes that had liens and the title company cleared them before closing--a couple were ones that had been paid but were never removed from the record; in one the money was simkply deducted from the sellers proceeds and the lein paid off as part of the process.
Do everything you can to make this work the way it should but be careful with this buyer. By the way, why did your colleague refr her to you instad of taking the business herself?
Michael- That's the first thing that came to mind when she first told me that. Thanks for your comments.
Alyce- I agree. Something just don't look right with that picture. Thanks for your comments.
Elizabeth- She wouldn't even give me the name of the title company. I called her today and she said that she will call me back. I called her and I got her voice mail. I left her message. If she is interested,she will call. Have a great weekend too Elizabeth. Thanks for your comments.
Deb-My colleague is not licensed in DC. She is licensed in MD. I left her a message today and she has yet to call me back. Thanks for your comments.
Tax lien would not usually be in the scope of Real Estate agent. Title search definitely should have picked it up.
Definitely have a discussion with her of what happened with the other agents. You will find out what she is expecting and you may have the opportunity to educate her as to what is reasonably expected from a Real Estate Agent.
All the best! & Good Luck!
I agree with Michael, there has to be more to the story. Five agents? Tax Lien? I can not believe that could possibly happen. Not one bad agent, but five?
Lanre ~ Hi. I'm confused. I'm thinking that all liens, including tax liens, would come up in the title search. Why is she upset with her real estate agent over this? (Yes, I know that some in this industry can be slackers - but in this case, is the agent responsible?)
Hello Lanre: Here are several questions: sounds like the lien was first discovered at the time the title policy was issued. I guess I would need to know who missed knowing about the lien and it sounds like it was a large amount. If not being able to clear title because there was insufficient funds to pay off this lien, what your referral client needs now is an attorney to help her recover the lost investment in that real estate deal from the agent and or seller. Today more than ever, what every agents needs to do in all cases, is make sure there is not a financial problem attached to the listing before getting it sold.
Having just dealt with a lien (not a tax lien) and a lis pendens on title totalling 60k, my clients (buyer's) knew full well exactly what was going on at all stages of getting those items taken care of. The listing agent had a lot of work to do, but we got it resolved.
She should be contacting the broker and an attorney, she should at a minimum be able to get earnest money back. With 5 bad experiences I'd say that she's either hit paydirt on the bad agent cycle or she's maybe got some unrealistic expectations. I hope you have much better luck with her.
Kevin-Of course that was the issue. I just feel like she is not telling me the whole story. Thanks for your comments.
Randy- I thought the same thing too. Now she just told me that said her real estate agent is going to try and help her. I wish her much luck. Thanks for your comments.
Darleen-Confused? You are not the only one. To be honest with you who knows what's going on. She told me something that the mortgage company told the title company that their is a tax lien on the house. What? I didn't know what to say when she said that. I didnt make no sense to me at all. Real Estate and the different personalities that we have to deal with. And they said that we dont work hard for our money. I need to retake a class on the personality traits-LOL. Thanks for your comments.
Mary- Amen. Every listing agent needs to know if there are any financial problems attached to the property before they list it. She doesn't want to get a attorney since she doesn't want to spend any more money. Thanks for your comments.
Kris-She has definitely hit paydirt on the bad agent cycle. Hopefully her situation can get resolved. Thanks for your comments.