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Karen Climer, Teaching people to pass the real estate exam (Demetree School of Real Estate)

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Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I heard about that some time ago. It IS shady and I hate anyone who preys on people who need quick cash.

Sep 07, 2022 06:49 AM
Rainmaker
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Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Yes. Crazy sellers (non sellers actually!)

Sep 07, 2022 07:14 AM
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Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I glanced at the contract and it does say 40 years right there on the top of page 2. Which goes to show you that people don't read contracts unless they're sitting down with an agent.

I have not seen or heard of this in my area. It definitely sounds shady.

Sep 07, 2022 10:20 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

The contract you describe exists in quite a few businesses. If they disclose it, they risk losing you as a customer. If they don't disclose, it is defensible. I am reminded of predator-prey dynamics in just about everything and found everywhere and is no respecter of persons. Honest people, called opportunists are not so bad because you see them coming. It is the dark forces, hidden agendas and deceivers one has to pause & assess.

Sep 07, 2022 09:39 AM
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Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

I have not seen it personally, but this was an article on our local network news stations a few weeks back.

Just another indicator that people have no idea what they're signing.

Sep 07, 2022 08:37 AM
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Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Nothing in my area that I am aware of. 

I recall someone mentioning this here in the Rain a few weeks ago. Feels predatory to me. 

Sep 07, 2022 08:15 AM
Rainmaker
693,775
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

It is hard to believe that someone would agree to that arrangement.  The article seems pretty one sided, though.  Did they seek out any homeowners that liked the services?  The main person featured had a lot more troubles than just signing up with this company and it is really hard to believe someone just forgets that they received money that they thought at the time was a "Godsend."  We do not forget things that are that important. 

 

The person featured in the article that received bad service is another matter.  It would be interesting to see how often that occurs.  If the service turns out to be terrible or non-existent, then that is a big problem.

 

I  sold a house off market about two months ago. A potential buyer sent me a horrible contract that was set up for the benefit of the buyer only.  For example, the contract stipulated that if the buyer backed out (for any reason), he would receive the deposit back automatically and that escrow did not need any other instructions.  There was plenty of other problems with it.  When I asked about the limitations of the contract (for my seller), he simply said, "It is an industry standard contract and we use it all the time."  I bet!  I made them use our CAR contract.  Of course, they backed out.   There are so many of these operators out there that use deceptive scripts and contracts.  It is one thing to be trained, like me, and face shady operators.  It is quite another to be an average person facing trained professionals.  How do you police it? Did that operator do anything illegal?  I do not know, but is was shady.  If the company in this article is being equally deceptive, then there is a big problem.

 

I do not like the way this company operates, but the people that use them share some to the responsibility. Even if they "forget," they are reminded that they signed a contract prior to being sued.  It does not say what the commissions are stipulated in the contract, but what we did see in the article looked reasonable. 

 

One other thing, the 40 year length is not buried in fine print.  It is under the main point two and pretty darn clear.  It is pretty hard to argue that anyone was duped on that point.

Sep 07, 2022 08:11 AM
Rainmaker
644,025
Greg Large
ERA Real Solutions - Grove City, OH
A Tradition of Trust

I have not run into this but did see this posted here several weeks ago.  You say this is legal in Florida? Not an attorney, nor do I play one on TV, but this seems to fall into the category of "unconscionable" and to include heirs who did not sign the agreement seems unenforceable to me.

Sep 07, 2022 08:06 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,419
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I have not seen this. 

Sep 07, 2022 07:39 AM
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Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

News to me.  does sound shady 

Sep 07, 2022 10:49 AM
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Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

No I have not seen or heard about this. If I did I'd be so 'on it' if it was happening to someone we knew or had worked with whether in real estate or whatever.  Sleazy beyond sleazy.  I can't believe it would be legal here in AZ.

Sep 07, 2022 10:08 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I don't remember that company name but I'm sure this is going on. Somewhere within 6 months this started.

Sep 07, 2022 07:34 AM
Rainmaker
2,241,494
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Always read the fine print.

Sep 08, 2022 03:54 AM
Rainer
465,398
David M. Dwares
Title Professionals Corp. - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Title guy with a broker license

I had to deal with them on a property owner doing a refinance.  My title underwriter wanted their "agreement" released or subordinated.  Initially they were not willing to do so.  After several conversations with their principals, myself and the new mortgage lender, they agreed to release the agreement and record a new agreement with the owner after the refinance was completed. 

Sep 07, 2022 01:26 PM
Rainer
378,517
Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

that's some serious shade, but legal.

Sep 07, 2022 11:28 AM
Rainmaker
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Shayne Stone
HomeSmart - Fulshear, TX
"Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor" RETIRED

It does make one wonder if this type of transaction would make a real estate brokerage more valuable with having a guaranteed income for the next 40-years!

 

Sep 07, 2022 10:31 AM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

I believe I heard about this but have not seen this happen or know about this happening in my area.  Although it may not be illegal -- it is underhanded, questionable and unscrupulous.

Sep 07, 2022 09:37 AM
Rainmaker
901,535
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

I think it is shady. I've also heard that when an owner does want to sell their house, then they get an agent who actually practices Real Estate to list it at a discounted rate. It feels like it is predatory and show have rules against it.

Sep 08, 2022 04:31 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,409
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Have heard of the practice but never seen it applied in any areas I have been active in.

Sep 08, 2022 04:06 AM
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Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

seems like they are a predatory bunch.  I don't like those kinds of people. 

Sep 07, 2022 09:34 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

It is for sure predatory. And since not everyone reads their contract or consult anyone on the paperwork, they likely get some ''need cash now'' sellers. I doubt, it would work in CA ~ we have too many hungry  lawyers. 

Sep 07, 2022 08:45 PM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Very shady. People don't realize what they're signing and for how long.

Sep 07, 2022 08:00 PM
Rainmaker
637,434
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

Wonder how much the cash is?  Probably doesn't need to be much since the "broker" is going for the eventual listing. However, it must be enough to make someone sign that contract.  Figure they go after the elderly who may not last for another 40 years.  

Sep 07, 2022 12:49 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,823
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Losers always look for shortcuts. Winners put in the work.

The level of lazy greed out there never ceases to amaze me.

Sep 07, 2022 11:59 AM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

My first thought is any Judge would throw this out of court for the length of the contract being unreasonable.  Secondly, I am always suspicious of any company, politician or anyone else that needs to buy their business.  I'm sure that most people that enter into this contract aren't aware of the length of contract.

Sep 07, 2022 09:53 AM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I've never heard of it Karen Climer but nobody was doing this back when I was active. This is a good heads up to watch out for.

Sep 07, 2022 08:58 AM
Rainmaker
1,556,633
Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI, SRES
Eagle Ridge Realty / Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA
REALTOR and Broker

I've heard about it but haven't run across it other than just an article I read somewhere.  

Sep 07, 2022 08:25 AM
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I would be surprised to see this hold up in a Wisconsin court.

Sep 08, 2022 12:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Can you imagine if your parents entered into such a agreement and you found out about it after they passed away.

Sep 09, 2022 07:10 AM
Rainmaker
1,196,798
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Why would anyone lock themselves into a 40-year contract just to get some perceived fast cash up front?

Sep 08, 2022 07:43 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

In our State (PA) you are not legally allowed to list Real Estate for more than 1 year.

Sep 10, 2022 05:42 AM
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Forty years is a loooooong time! There are always opportunists looking for a pay day.

Sep 10, 2022 08:16 AM
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Our office title company shared this with us a while back. It's definitely a shady practice that can easily be avoided if people would just read their Contracts before signing!

Sep 11, 2022 05:58 AM
Rainer
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Anthony Kirlew
Group 46:10 Network @ eXp Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Helping You Make Fiscally Sound Real Estate Deals!

It sounds like something the timeshare industry is behind with terms like that. "The big print giveth, and the fine print taketh away."

Sep 14, 2022 11:18 AM