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Disclaimer: there is no harm intended to any ‘tuliper in the trade nor any competent realtor.
In the course of purchasing a condo in Florida, from Cali, I made the mistake of going with the listing agent instead of getting some recommendations (iTulipers), overly influenced by the 3,000 mile distance between me and the property.
Naturally his card read he was in the million dollar club.
I can’t say I wasn’t forewarned.
A sample of one of his representations of my interests.
I asked for standard seller disclosures.
He immediately responded that disclosures are not required in Florida. He added that the seller’s agent said the same thing and he taught real estate.
I pressed my request.
He responded that the seller had never lived in the house, so what did he know. This was my first hint from my representative that the owner was no longer capable of governing her transactions. (I verified POA with my title people, who were most professional)
I pressed my request.
Peppered throughout these emails and phone calls was his ever-more strident remainder to make the next payment ($10K) by its due date.
He replied he would look into getting a blank disclosure signed.
I pressed my request.
Then I got this, from 'my' representative:
Hi Don- Our contract does not require them to deliver the sellers disclosure---still, I have requested again that they send something---As an example, I would need to disclose to them if the deposit does not come in---Let me know the status of the deposit when you have a chance.
Now a threat. I really respond to this sort of stimulus.
I pressed my request, while conferring with title.
Then this:
Hi Don- Your inspector was very experienced and he seemed to do a thorough job checking inside and out of the home.
Suggesting I drop my disclosure request.
Never have I felt more I did the right thing avoiding the realtor’s in-house inspector. (He’s really good . . .)
I pressed my request, right up to the deposit limit.
Hi Don- Attached above is the sellers disclosure.
A 5 page document – that began with:
In Florida, a seller is obligated to disclose to a buyer all known facts that materially affect the value of the property being sold and are not readily observable.
The type of standard boilerplate I was requesting from the beginning.
(A basic internet search for the Florida county in question came up with what was mandated, including a host of law firms eager to help in this frequently litigious area of RE.)
His concluding email on this matter were a few line congratulating himself on his accomplishment. He threw in the seller's agent for a few strokes as well.
For those of us not in the biz and who infrequently make RE transactions, it seems the industry is riddled with overpaid errand boys and girls in clown suits.
Amen
In the course of purchasing a condo in Florida, from Cali, I made the mistake of going with the listing agent instead of getting some recommendations (iTulipers), overly influenced by the 3,000 mile distance between me and the property.
Naturally his card read he was in the million dollar club.
I can’t say I wasn’t forewarned.
A sample of one of his representations of my interests.
I asked for standard seller disclosures.
He immediately responded that disclosures are not required in Florida. He added that the seller’s agent said the same thing and he taught real estate.
I pressed my request.
He responded that the seller had never lived in the house, so what did he know. This was my first hint from my representative that the owner was no longer capable of governing her transactions. (I verified POA with my title people, who were most professional)
I pressed my request.
Peppered throughout these emails and phone calls was his ever-more strident remainder to make the next payment ($10K) by its due date.
He replied he would look into getting a blank disclosure signed.
I pressed my request.
Then I got this, from 'my' representative:
Hi Don- Our contract does not require them to deliver the sellers disclosure---still, I have requested again that they send something---As an example, I would need to disclose to them if the deposit does not come in---Let me know the status of the deposit when you have a chance.
Now a threat. I really respond to this sort of stimulus.
I pressed my request, while conferring with title.
Then this:
Hi Don- Your inspector was very experienced and he seemed to do a thorough job checking inside and out of the home.
Suggesting I drop my disclosure request.
Never have I felt more I did the right thing avoiding the realtor’s in-house inspector. (He’s really good . . .)
I pressed my request, right up to the deposit limit.
Hi Don- Attached above is the sellers disclosure.
A 5 page document – that began with:
In Florida, a seller is obligated to disclose to a buyer all known facts that materially affect the value of the property being sold and are not readily observable.
The type of standard boilerplate I was requesting from the beginning.
(A basic internet search for the Florida county in question came up with what was mandated, including a host of law firms eager to help in this frequently litigious area of RE.)
His concluding email on this matter were a few line congratulating himself on his accomplishment. He threw in the seller's agent for a few strokes as well.
For those of us not in the biz and who infrequently make RE transactions, it seems the industry is riddled with overpaid errand boys and girls in clown suits.
Amen