ethical lapse?

[farnshart]

My husband and I are selling our home. We have lived in the house for about three years, during which time we have become close to our neighbors. The neighbor directly across the street is a real estate agent. When we decided to list our home, we decided not to use her as our agent, primarily because she tends to drink a lot and when she does she is very indiscreet. We didn't want her to gossip about us the way we have heard her gossip about her other clients.

In an attempt to be good friends, we had her and her husband over for dinner before we listed the house. We told them that we would be listing the house, and would not be using her because we do not believe in mixing business with friendship. She was very upset, and tried repeatedly to talk us out of our decision.

When she saw another realtor's car in front of our house, she became quite agitated and put a letter in our mailbox, telling us that the only way to salvage the friendship would be to co-list the house with her and another agent. When we didn't respond to her letter, and before we had listed with anyone, she went to all the neighbors on our cul-de-sac and told them that we were selling our house and not using her as our agent. This was before we told anyone else that we were selling, and was actually quite a sensitive subject as we are involved with several of the neighbors in a landslide mitigation project and wanted to get legal advice before we told them we were selling. By spreading the news before we got the advice we needed, she could have made things very sticky, although it turned out all right.

We're angry, of course, but also wonder if she crossed an ethical line by telling the other neighbors our business?

[kensmith]

Sense you told her as a fiend and not as your agent I'm not really sure. Also did you ask her not to tell anyone? At least you know that you made the correct choice in not working with this agent, what a piece of work.

[Falcon Living]

About that realtor, you never really had any realtor client relationship but it is unethical over all for a neighbor to gossip in the first place. I am not sure what your landslide issue entirely is but if it effects the house sale value or the condition of the house, you have to disclose it to your potential buyers not to get a court case in the long run.

[sarahk]

When she saw another realtor's car in front of our house, she became quite agitated and put a letter in our mailbox, telling us that the only way to salvage the friendship...

There is no real friendship there to salvage! Any agent should respect that there are plenty vying for your business and who you choose to give it to is your business. She is entitled to be miffed but by acting this way she's proving all your fears correctly.

Be assured that while all the neighbours may be disappointed they didn't hear your plans from you directly they will be able to see right through this woman and won't be fooled by her motivations and mouthing-off.

Personally I would have talked to the landslide neighbours before getting an agent in but what's done is done. Don't allow yourself to be pulled into arguments. You have every right to move on with your life and are not bound to the neighbourhood for life. Lets hope people are sad to see you go, but wish you well.

Sarah

[Jade456]

You could always contact her broker to complain. Sounds like she needs to mature quite a bit as well----and quit drinking. Just because she knows you and is a realtor doesn't mean you have to use her. Especially if she isn't very good at her job. Don't worry about hurt feelings, you didn't do anything wrong at all. She is way out of line. I hope this doesn't put a bad taste in your mouth about the realtor profession over all. Most agents are professionals and act as such.

[Jnazareno]

contact the Realtor Board about this..
Real Estate is a business and in business you make decisions
based on what is right for you not for the sake of friendship, it helps
but not with your case.

[kensmith]

contact the Realtor Board about this..

Um for what. There wasn't ever a client relationship in place. There was no ethical or professional duty to the person. They talked as friends saying that they where moving and that they would be working with another real estate agent. Not really something for the board. Yes the lady proved she wasn't much of a friend by her actions, but that has nothing to do with the board. Just don't talk to the woman anymore, you lost a "friend"... if you can really call her that.