After two more phone messages and one e-mail to B, I finally reached him late that week and he once again took pains to assure me that I would likely not close any time soon. I again explained that S had said I would, and he then advised me to “reach out” to S about the matter. In turn, I told him I had last spoken to S shortly before I called B and that he had once again assured me that all would go as planned.
He gave me the usual tired "professional" schpiel about having been in the business for years, etc. etc. but finally grudgingly said fine, if you’re ready to close, it’ll happen.
Meanwhile, the contract was still not in my hands. Though S told me B definitely had it at this point, B said he wouldn’t get it till Monday. He needed time to “review it,” so he would send it Monday and we could probably go over it on Tuesday.
When I first spoke with B, he told me upfront that he had to review all contracts before sending them out. This gave me considerable pause, since most real estate contracts are pretty standard as far as I know. In fact, I’m pretty sure he could recite the while thing in his sleep.
When I talked to S again after this convo, I asked him what possible motive this man would have for trying to throw a monkey wrench into the works on what should have been a no-brainer transaction. S couldn’t imagine why, and we both noted that how soon I closed was really none of B’s concern.
I had to conclude that in an effort to prove to me that he was worth his fee, he had to try to make me believe that he was all-knowing and that the process was fraught with red tape and mystery. In point of fact, he was simply lazy all the way around: too lazy to meet with me and go over the contract in person; too lazy to schedule a messenger to pick up the contract; and too lazy, dishonest, and deceptive to send me the crucial papers in a timely fashion.
After e-mailing B as S then suggested, I sent this e-mail to S:
Hey S:
Article comments
1 - Julia H, Louisville, KY
Do you give any advice to first time home buyers like my husband and I? We have a similar story, except we are being told about a bid we made on a house, and being told a line of crap. Please let me know. I'm at my wits end with this, and have no clue who to ask for advice. I found your article while searching the words "real estate lawyers." Thank you for your time, and if you can't lend any advice, thanks for at least getting the word out on slimeballs like the one you wrote about! There are LOTS!!!!
2 - Elvira Black
Hi Julia:
So sorry to hear about your trouble, but of course you're not alone. There's a site called Active Rain run by real estate professionals that you might like to check out, as they have real estate agents and other RE professionals from all over the country who participate, and most seem very committed to providing professional service. There are likely some agents from your area represented there, and you can visit their websites or e-mail them. The site is also a treasure trove of info about good and bad real estate practices, as some agents are also very dismayed at the dirty tricks some of their colleages engage in. I learned a lot about the ins and outs of the business just by perusing that site.
There are some good agents out there, but like every other profession there are always those bad apples who ruin the rep of the good ones and make clients' lives miserable in the process. The best advice I can give is to get connected with an agent who has had considerable time in the business and the rep to prove it. Many of them will work in tandem with lawyers and mortgage brokers they trust, which can make the process considerably smoother all the way around.
Best of luck--as I've learned, when you hook up with the good guys, the process can be relatively headache free! And do let me know how you make out!