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Unbelievable Agent Antics

Twice this week I’ve received offers from agents that made me question the training these agents have received and wonder what else is being done by them and others in my business.

The first agent faxed a purchase agreement where the buyers’ signatures were illegible.  The rest of the contract was clear, but you couldn’t be certain who had signed the offer.  I had the agent try several other options and none worked.  Then, magically, the purchase agreement came through clear… the agent had traced his buyers’ signatures.  Really?  Yup.

The 2nd agent faxed his offer over but it was missing one signature and one initial from the buyer.  Apparently the buyer lives far from the agent’s office, so the agent said “my buyer authorized me to sign on his behalf” and faxed back the applicable pages.

I was absolutely dumbfounded to discover both of these agents’ activities.  These are legally binding contracts that require complete and legitimate signatures by all parties to be legal.  If there was ever a problem with the transaction after the fact, buyer seller or agent could claim the contract was not valid to begin with.  Effectively these were both open liabilities and because they both appeared to be illegal activities, E&O insurance would not cover that agent or me!

I know that sales are fewer, I know that sales are tougher, and I know that commissions are smaller.  Even though many agents are struggling, there simply is no excuse for ANYONE to be taking shortcuts.  Not only is it an issue of legality, it is an issue of ethics as well.  Our industry is better than this and we all need to remind each other on this every day.

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TwinCitiesRealEstateBlog.com is not a Multiple Listing Service MLS, nor does it offer MLS access.
This website is a service of Aaron Dickinson of Edina Realty, a broker Participant of the Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Inc.