In trouble with board of real estate agents

Here is the situation:

I send out letters to expired listings asking if they want to sell their home. The details of the letter is the details of one of those Ron Legrand letters to expired listings.

Sometimes the homeowner relists the property with the real estate agent and the letter comes into the real estate agent’s hands.

They thought that this was a method of me trying to steal clients from agents.

They sent all the information about me and my company to the board of real estate agents to investigate me and said I was under watch.

I spoke with one of the biggest brokers in the city, and she told me that I needed to be extremely careful about what I am doing. She was the same broker that sent all of my information to the board of real estate agents.

What is my liability here?

What does your letter say? Are you inquiring about purchasing their homes or helping them find a buyer?

This is what my letter says. Right from Ron Legrand and Kris Kirschner’s system.

Dear Property Owner

I would very much like to discuss purchasing your home. Please notice, I’m not asking to “list your home”. I am not a Realtor, and I’m not associated with any real estate agency. However, I’m definitely interested in buying your house as an investment.

I’m just a private individual like yourself, who has developed the ability to solve seemingly complicated financial dilemmas… the kind that thousands of homeowners get into everyday when they try to sell their home.

Relocation, divorce, payments in arrears, or simply outgrowing the old homestead… These are all situations that can happen to good, honest homeowners. And before you know it, your valuable asset is looking more and more like a big, heavy anchor. Whether any of the above circumstances is happening to you, I sincerely believe I can help.

I am associated with a group of private investors that buys from five to ten houses per month. We buy houses in almost every area of the city and every price range using private funds that require no long, drawn out bank approvals. As I mentioned, above however; we’re not real estate agents. There’s a big difference.

An agent’s job is to sell houses… Not buy them!

Do you have any idea how many houses a typical agent is trying to sell? I think it’s safe to say more than just yours! Most agents have a whole portfolio of houses, all over the city; that they are trying to sell at any given time. This means the attention your home needs might not always be there.

Which is exactly why some people conclude: “Well, what if I just sell it myself? After all, who knows more about the house than I do?” While this may be true, do you want to risk having a potential buyer slip through your fingers, just because you’re not used to walking through every detail of a real estate transaction?

Remember, if someone wants to buy your house, chances are they want to close just as quickly if not quicker than you. If they get a feeling of uncertainty at any step of the deal, they could switch to that “other” house in a heartbeat. The one that nice agent showed them earlier in the week. After all, he made closing sound so smooth and easy… he sounded like he really knew his business.

Let’s face it, most folks have never sold a house on their own before, or, at the most only 1 or 2. This is where I come in. I specialize in solving problems… especially the kind you find when you’re dealing with a complex sale (like every real estate deal!)

First of all, if it hasn’t sold by now, with you keeping it all spruced up and pretty, why in the world would it have a better chance to sell vacant? Not to mention the worry. Are the little neighborhood angels climbing through the kitchen window, with their sledge hammers and spray cans?

Not only that, but you’ll have double house payments. If you’re like most people, that’s a little hard to swallow. Plus, there’s the possibility you might not qualify for that new home with this one hanging over your head.

Which way do you turn? An agent with hundreds of other listings to handle? Selling yourself and sweating out financing details, lost deals, last minute closing “surprises”? Moving out hoping you don’t get some midnight call telling you to get over to your vacant house… fast!

	I can offer a solution, a way out of your dilemma

How does a quick sale sound to you? If your property qualifies, I guarantee that I will have a written offer to you within 48 hours after I see it. I’ll explain everything to you in as much detail as you want. I will be direct, clear and honest in all our discussions and arrangements. If you and I come to an agreement, I can pay all cash with no contingencies and close in a few days if needed. I’ll handle all of the paperwork and make all the arrangements. Best of all…

	You can get on with your life!

I don’t know your particular reasons for selling, but I do know how to get your house closed as quickly, and as professionally as possible. Because I work with private funds, I can usually do so in a short a time as 48 to 72 hours. After all, let me be up front with you, as long as I can make a profit, and solve your problems in the process, I’m ready, willing and definitely able.

If you’re ready to act or have some immediate questions, you can contact me right away at (514) 851-0333 for 24 hours FREE information or mail me the form below. Or visit my website at www.voestateresults.com

If you want an alternate to the stale, conventional ways of selling your home, pick up the phone and call me now! You have everything to gain and nothing to lose!

Sincerely,

Olivier Vo

Let them watch you all they want.

I’d have YOUR lawyer send them a letter IMMEDIATELY informing them that if they, in anyway, disrupt your business, multiple lawsuits will be filed against each and every agent involved in anyway. Said lawsuits will seek full recovery of lossed income and any expenses incurred due to their actions. F**K them, Don’t let this idiots intimidate you.

Let me relate a little story to you about realtors. I will only sign 90 day agreement’s with agents. If they can’t get it done I’ll do it myself. This nit wit agent basically put a lock box on the home and would give the buyers agent the combo, he never showed up to actually SELL the home. Well on day 89 guess what? He brings in a “buyer” and wants an extention, Now if you have a real buyer you don’t NEED an extention, it’s covered in the contract. His buyer was a joke and I told him so, he said “Well you better sign because if you don’t legal action could be taken against you” Oh really, I’ll sign, tell your buyer I want a $20,000 deposit, a letter confiming funds, and it’s an AS IS sale. I give you one guess as to what happened to his “BUYER”

I sold the house myself 3 weeks later.

I have never met a bigger group of outright liars than realtors.

Oh no you are being “watched” by a bunch of realtors. I would not be worried at all. Sounds like they are trying to scare away the competition.

I’d tell them to “KMFA”…you said, right in the first paragraph, “…Please notice, I’m not asking to “list your home”. I am not a Realtor, and I’m not associated with any real estate agency.”

In a lot of cases, if the Realtor had done their job, the listing probably wouldn’t be expiring…!

Keith

I agree, you’ve got nothing to worry about regarding the realtor watch committee. However, I would suggest tossing that long-winded letter and construct something more focused and to the point.

I think you paint with too broad a brush. My wife’s a realtor, and the most honest God fearing woman you can ever meet. Just because you had a bad one, please don’t slander them as a whole. :banghead

I look at it from both sides. Just because some investors are lying crooks doesnt mean all investors are lying crooks. Same with agents.

I’m sure they have the same mentality towards investors. Can’t blame them.

I shortened the letter as follows:

Dear Property Owner

If your house is listed with a Real Estate Agent, ignore this message, I am not here to steal anyone’s listing. I am not a real estate Agent nor am I trying to represent you as a Real Estate agent. I BUY houses and it is as simple as that.

Please notice, I’m not asking to “list your home”. I am not a Realtor, and I’m not associated with any real estate agency. However, I’m definitely interested in buying your house as an investment.

I’m just a private individual like yourself, who has developed the ability to solve seemingly complicated financial dilemmas… the kind that thousands of homeowners get into everyday when they try to sell their home.

Relocation, divorce, payments in arrears, or simply outgrowing the old homestead… These are all situations that can happen to good, honest homeowners. And before you know it, your valuable asset is looking more and more like a big, heavy anchor. Whether any of the above circumstances is happening to you, I sincerely believe I can help.

I am associated with a group of private investors that buys from five to ten houses per month. We buy houses in almost every area of the city and every price range using private funds that require no long, drawn out bank approvals. As I mentioned, above however; we’re not real estate agents. There’s a big difference.

	I can offer a solution, a way out of your dilemma

How does a quick sale sound to you? If your property qualifies, I guarantee that I will have a written offer to you within 48 hours after I see it. I’ll explain everything to you in as much detail as you want. I will be direct, clear and honest in all our discussions and arrangements. If you and I come to an agreement, I can pay all cash with no contingencies and close in a few days if needed. I’ll handle all of the paperwork and make all the arrangements. Best of all…

	You can get on with your life!

I don’t know your particular reasons for selling, but I do know how to get your house closed as quickly, and as professionally as possible. Because I work with private funds, I can usually do so in a short a time as 48 to 72 hours. After all, let me be up front with you, as long as I can make a profit, and solve your problems in the process, I’m ready, willing and definitely able.

If you’re ready to act or have some immediate questions, you can contact me right away at (514) 851-0333 for 24 hours FREE information or mail me the form below. Or visit my website at www.VoEstateResults.com for free information.

If you want an alternate to the stale, conventional ways of selling your home, pick up the phone and call me now! You have everything to gain and nothing to lose!

That’s 514-851-0333 for FREE 24 Hour information.

Sincerely,

Olivier Vo

I’ve been in this business for 20 years. Started out in construction. That’s MY experience over a LONG period of time. How many realtors watched as people signed sub-prime mortgages that THEY set up. Nothing like a nice fee from the mortgage broker to offset the Jaguar payment. That realtor knew these people would be screwed in 2 years when that rate adjusted.
They did’nt care. It’s about MONEY.

Now having said that. I have met realtors who were true assets to their clients. They would not let these people sign a loan agreement that literally put that family at risk. They would find them a house they could AFFORD, even though that would mean a smaller commission. If your wife is one of those, she’s a class act. Unfortunately, she’s probably not the highest ranked agent in her office by sales.

Sorry, it’s my opinion backed up by 20 years experience. THE MAJORITY ARE OUT RIGHT LIARS.

Tien,

Cut to the chase Dude.

It sounds like B.S. to me. I’m a great B.S. filter.

Try this…

I’ve noticed your house was for sale. I was wondering if we could get together so I could take a look at it.

I AM NOT A REALTOR.

Thanks for your time,

#######

Get in the door and TALK to these people. They will tell you their story and you can adapt your presentation to their situation.
Be polite, but not too smooth. Wear street clothes, if you have an expensive car leave it at home. Don’t B.S. these people, they’ve been through that with every loser realtor they had to deal with. THAT IS YOUR ADVANTAGE!!

Ha. The REALTORS are watching! Eeeeeeek. Run for the hills!

Come on. Let them watch. Maybe someone will learn something from you. I do agree that you need to cut to the chase in your letter.

ooooh, a pack of ruthless wererealtors chasing you down. Oh no! I wouldn’t get too concerened. There are PLENTY of realtors to work with if these ones shun you.

As for realtors, I’ve met some real jerks and then theres my mother in law. She’s a great person, honest, integrity, the whole 9 yards AND shes one of the top people in her office. She’s selling hand over fist when everyone else is saying “why is nothing selling”

I’ve gotten at least 10 people approaching me about my expired listing (my house… decided to stay) and most are ok to mediocre but ALL are short. I did not read through your whole letter and wouldn’t. It’s WAY too long. Sounds like a pitch from the publishers clearing house. Needs shortened big time. I say this bluntly because we’re on a forum to help eachother. :beer

OMFG! It’s illegal to BUY houses!!! :rolleyes

I don’t know why investors love to bash realtors. The majority of realtors are not liars any more than the majority of investors are liars. I have gotten many deals from my realtor and have found her to be nothing but professional. I have worked with many other realtors and although they may not have been right for me, they weren’t liars.

There seems to be a thought that because realtors get paid for their work, we shouldn’t use them. I think that’s ridiculous. I don’t care what anyone is making but me. If someone bought a property at tax sale for $100 and wanted to sell it to me for $30,000, I’d buy it and be happy if I could get the amount of rent and equity I wanted. I say good for them in being smart enough to find the property so cheap and make a nice profit. Likewise, if a realtor can find me a good deal, I am happy to pay her commisiion. In fact, if my realtor finds a house really dirt cheap, I’ll give her a finder’s fee in addition to the commission (which is very low on dirt cheap houses). I want her to make money and to have motivation to bring those deals to me.

If your house is listed with a Real Estate Agent, ignore this message, I am not here to steal anyone’s listing.

Tien,

I would take this line out of your letter. Why would you want the owner to ignore your sales letter just because it’s listed with a realtor. That’s just silly. If you can buy the property at a great price, who cares if an agent is involved or not? Your focus should be making money, not shunning realtors. That just doesn’t make business sense. For the record, I like Petemfa’s 3 line letter, it is MUCH better than the long letter. Short and to the point! I like it!

Mike

They have no authority. What you’re doing isn’t against the law. What are they going to do when they’re done watching you? “Open house” you to death? :bs

Thanks, I almost busted out laughing at work in the middle of a quiet office. :biggrin

Glad to help! I’ll be here all week. Try the veal.

Thanks for your responses.

I am changing my letter to make it shorter and more to the point.

I am not the one to enjoy picking fights and making enemies so I apologized to the real estate broker and ended the call on good terms.

I will still be getting a call from the board of real estate agents but I have spoken to agents as well and they told me I have nothing to worry about.

Thanks everyone.

PS. I am too hard headed to be stopped by a board of real estate agents. Just wanted your oppinions.