Realty Times July 6, 2000

Real Estate Council Compiles List of Consumer Complaints Against Agents
by Realty Times Staff

The Real Estate Council of British Columbia, the Canadian equivalent of a state real estate commission, has compiled a list of the most typical complaints consumers have real estate professionals, with ignorance and misrepresentation topping the list.

The list was published in the May/June issue of Outlook, the in-house publication of the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials, based in Montgomery, Ala.,. The list was compiled from a focus group hosted by the B.C. Real Estate Council.

According to the Council, the major points of contention between consumers and real estate professionals include:

  • Ignorance or misrepresentation of property features. The Council warned that, "licensees should verify facts provided by the seller or the listing information, especially in regard to square footage or items remaining on the property."

  • Unwillingness to release seller from listing contract. Said the Council, "Consumers wish for simpler dissolution of the listing contract when the licensee they hired provides inadequate service, such as insufficient advertising or lack of communications.

  • Poor drafting of contracts. "Contracts often contain 'subject to inspection' and similar clauses which leave consumers feeling vulnerable. Others create logistical problems by setting completion and possession dates on the same day."

    Also listed among the grievances was:

  • Misinterpretation or failure to communicate material information, such as what fees are for in the transaction.

  • Mortgage fraud, including brokers falsifying documents.

  • Withholding deposits without having adequately pre-explained the terms of the deposit.

  • Negligent property management.

  • Difficult transaction closings.

  • Lack of research assistance to help chase down government records.

    The Council also said a major concern was "Self Interest."

    Said the Council, "Consumers' perception is that licensees' advice and actions are influenced more by self-interest than out of concern for the client (e.g. pressuring a client to buy more expensive property simply to increase commission)."

    To subscribe to Outlook, contact ARELLO at: 334 260 2902.


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