How To File Complaint Against Real Estate Agent
Added February 2, 2007 by Ilyce R. Glink and Samuel J. TamkinSummary: A buyer is out a large sum of money due to fraud committed by a real estate agent. A complaint can be filed against the agent, but an attorney should really be used to go after this agent. It's though to know how to proceed against the agent without the help of a competent litigator.
Q: I have serious fraud complaint about a real estate agent who represented me as a buyer. I cannot afford the $10,000 initial fee to sue her and local Board of Realtor's Ethics Committee is beyond useless, saying this is a two year process and I should contact an attorney.
I would like to know if there were other complaints to establish a pattern to add weight to my case. The Board of Realtor's Ethics Committee refuses to give me a list of realty companies she has previously worked for. The state licensing web site only goes back 5 years and shows 5 or 6 charges of serious fraud brought against her.
A Google search indicates that she has a tax lien and a major lawsuit and a recent bankruptcy. The Realtor Board's site shows none of these things, and she has a clean slate with them.
How do I get the Board of Realtors to cooperate and give me a list of her prior employers? The brokerage firm she is associated with is sympathetic and has promised I will get my money back. But it has been a year now and I believe they are trying to stall me until it is too late for me to complain to the Real Estate Commission in Hawaii.
Do you have any ideas other than to hire a lawyer? I am out $100,000.
A: You haven't indicated why you are owed money or what happened. But if you are right, and a fraud has been perpetrated against you, you do have a number of options.
Your first choice is to hire an attorney. We know you don't want to hire an attorney, but you should consult with one anyway. It won't cost you $10,000 to get some basic advice on the situation and you'll need an experienced attorney to help you and to perhaps negotiate a settlement.
Litigation is expensive, if it comes down to that. But better you spend the money with an attorney and get as much of your money back as possible than see it all vanish.
Another option would be to file a complaint against the agent with the state agency that regulates the licensing of real estate sales people in Hawaii. That office may have a system in place for your complaint against the broker. However, the state agency may be under no obligation to follow up on your complaint. In some states, some enforcement offices are quite backlogged and are unable to follow up on all complaints filed.
You can also file a complaint with the attorney general's office in Hawaii and with the Better Business Bureau. Finally, some Realtor firms and organizations have their own internal complaint officers that can investigate your complaint and assist you. But as you have discovered, they may not always work swiftly nor do they necessarily look out for a consumer's best interests first.
The National Association of Realtors, based in Chicago, has an Ethics division and you can file a complaint, but the organization has little it can apply in the way of pressure other than canceling the offending agent's membership.
All of this leads back to the original suggestion that you might have to hire an attorney to represent you in this matter. Some states have statutes that would allow you to recover your attorney's fees in case you win against the broker. You won't know whether you should proceed against the broker and sue her until you have hired a competent litigator that has had experience litigating real estate cases against brokers.
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(View All Topics)consumer advice credit estate planning home buying ilyce glink mortgage mortgage lenders mortgage loan personal finance advice real estate real estate advice real estate agent refinance mortgage selling taxes
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Comments
blasitngu says
EAST COAST PROPERTIES' INJUSTICES TO HOME BUYERS EAST COAST REO ALSO KNOWN AS EAST COAST PROPERTIES HAS BEEN DOING A LOT OF INJUSTICE. THEY REFUSE TO GIVE BACK PEOPLE’S EANEST DEPOSIT MONEY WHEN YOU ARE UNABLE TO CLOSE ON A PROPERTY. THEY REQUIRE EVERYONE TO GIVE $1OOO DEPOSIT BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY WILL NOT GIVE THE MONEY BACK. PLEASE, KEEP AWAY FROM THE PROPERTIES THEY HAVE FOR SALE AS THEY WILL FIND A WAY TO MAKE YOU LOSE YOUR MONEY AND MOVE ON TO THE NEXT VICTIM. EAST COAST REO IS NOT A COMPANY TO BUY PROPERTY FROM. THEY ARE A VICIOUS REAL ESTATE FIRM THAT IS EXPLOITING PEOPLE AND KEEP THEIR EARNEST MONEY. BELOW IS THEIR INFORMATION. KEEP WAY FROM THEM. JASON COX IS THE COWARD OF INJUSTICE. http://www.ncreo.com/East_Coast_REO_REALTOR.shtml http://www.ncreo.com East Coast REO Corporate REO - Main Offices 2012 Anthony Rd Burlington, NC 27215 Main: 877-210-0838 OR 1(336) 221-0032 Fax: 336-792-4589 Email: info@ncreo.com
Monroe Duncan says
William E. Wood in Chesapeake VA has been deceiving their clients horriably!!! Too many issues to begin to list. Beware of WIlliam E. Wood Real Estate Co.
Jaimee says
I agree with Monroe, STAY AWAY FROM WILLIAM E WOOD!!!
Nc buyer says
I agree about JASON COX AT EAST COAST PROPERTIES!! He is a crook and doesn't return calls or emails about a property that we are trying to obtain through our buyer's agent. He is a sleaze and will take all of your money. He is also a LIAR. He has lied about documents and emails that we have on file and says they never happened. He is the scum of the earth!!! Jason Cox is NOT someone to deal with. All agents in our area won't touch a property with his name on it because he is so nasty to deal with. Once again he is a LIAR!!! We are in the process with our lawyer to file a complaint against him. I can't wait to watch him fry for all that he has put us through!!
jackie oh says
Jason cox sucks c*** He lied to us too.Where are you located? would love to help you bring him down. He owes me some money as well.......
RC says
Do not use Alan Shorr Real Estate in Philadelphia!!!!!!!
Beth says
My realtor and her other realtor buddies are renting out my property and collecting funds without telling me. Can't report it to Association - usually, they are made up of old friends of realtors. Went to one once, the realtor I was complaining about walked in and they all greeted her like an old friend - lots of kisses and hugs - needless to say they didn't think she did anything wrong. Case closed. One attorney I called was very defensive toward me - said, "well, how are you gonna prove it". Duh, I have some proof - but not enough for him. Common practice - but no one gives a shit.
donna parks says
Jiimmy Jones with Bob Leigh Realty in Mississippi does not need to even have a license to sell! He represented his clients(a seller and buyer) in a home purchase I attempted to buy! It was an unfair "rigged bidding" where my offer was topped with his client getting the home I wanted. I am angry and will not stop complaining so all of you will be aware not to use Jimmy Jones of BobLeigh Realty, MS, nor the company itself!
Liz says
George Gross has no ethical standard at all. He pressured us to make a deal even though we wanted to wait for the market to stabilize. My husband and I are both on fixed income. I would caution any senior citizens from listing their property with Diablo Realty or George Gross in Walnut Creek. But the name is fitting. It was an experience from hell. The house that we sold was subsequently flipped by the buyer for extra $55,000 in less than three months. We are wondering what part of it went to George's wallet. George Gross 925 260 5088 in East Bay. Stay away from him.