"Nero Gerber" wrote in message
...

"miamicuse" wrote
Last week I posted about a house with a mold problem. The house was
listed
as "Active and Available". I contacted my agent to arrange a viewing,
although I have significant interest just by looking at the different
pictures and a drive by, the price is very reasonable too.

My agent was trying to contact the LA, and the LA said he is busy and
can't
show it until a few days later. After a few days, no call back, and
when
contacted says have to wait over the weekend. When we finally called
over
the weekend, the LA said the property has a serious mold problem and
will
cost like $20000 to fix, that the house was already sold but the buyer
backed out because of the mold problem. We were a little shocked and
thought about backing away, but then I thought I still want to see it
and
if
it's just replacing drywalls and carpets it's not such a big deal. I
had
my
agent called again and this time, the agent said the property has just
been
sold, the seller reduced the price and the original buyer will be
getting
the house. Oh well we will have to move on. Today my agent called me
and
told me she found out the "buyer" of this house IS THE Listing Agent and
that he is
planning to sell as soon as it closes (told my agent he will be happy to
show it to us as soon as it closes in December). Isn't this a conflict
of
interest? How can the LA recommend a price and then buy the property
himself (probably at a discount?) then get an inspection that reveals
serious mold problem to get the seller to lower the price, and even back
off
on the contract to put it on the market again to pressure the seller,
knowing all this time he can block or discourage other interested
parties
without the knowledge of the seller, and finally getting a price
reduction,
and then probably his own commission, with the intention to flip? If he
thinks he can flip right the way, and make a profit, doesn't it mean the
seller is pricing it low, and shouldn't he be expected to inform/advise
the
seller what the fair market value is? I am just real ****ed off to run
into
shady deals like this. Any advise? Should I just move on or is there a
way to still get this house given the situation?

File a complaint with your state's commission.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l...&b tnG=Search


State is Florida. Not sure if this is against the rules or just unethical?

MC