Expert: Connie Wildasinn-Broker,GRI,Realtor® - 1/4/2010

Question
QUESTION: I live in Fl but purchased vacation property in Alabama 2/08.  Recently, someone came on the property %26 told me he had seen a listed for the property %26 wanted to see the home.  I told him it was not for sale - after much argument he left.  Early this month, I found a listing for my property on Google Map %26 neo realty.  The ad was posted 11/9/09 but the Realtor I purchased the property through.  I am hitting road blocks as to why the property is listed %26 how to get it removed.  Can you advise me as to how to get the Realtor/Broker to remove %26 explain?

ANSWER: Hi Chris...

Your question got a little jumbled... but I think I have the jest of the question... you bought a property in '08, it now shows as being marketed for sale from the realtor you bought from?

Be sure no where in the ad it says 'sold' by or something to that effect.. as the agent who secured that sale he has the right to advertise... 'sold by'

Then contact his broker, with exact info, and let him know you want it removed... there may be a place in Goggle where you can request a removal also, but I am not that savoy with the Goggle world..

Hope this helps...

FYI: the property could also be listed somewhere else, that was never removed and goggle is picking it up... the one annoying thing I have found about the great world wide web is that these sites pick up information, not always accurate (as you can see) and insert into their site as gospel... as good as transparent info is... it is not always...

Good luck with getting it removed...

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks, Connie.
I checked and the property is not listed as sold but for sale.  I have talked to the Broker and the Agent to no avail.  Is there a governing agency I can turn to for assistance?

Answer
Hi Chris... First be sure the property is for sale... go to any real estate office, ask the updesk agent to check on the address for you, get the print out of the 'Agent' sheet... you may need to explain that you are the owner, (they can check tax records for this information) and the property is listed without representation... then take that sheet to the DRE of Florida...Department of Real Estate... it is a cardinal sin to list for a sale a property you do not have representation on ...

You may wish to one last time, send a certified letter to the broker of record for the office that you will turn them into the DRE should they not cease and desist with the listing....

but do make sure they are the 'agency representing the seller' before you go that route... many web sites are like portals .. and pick up info and redistribute it which means nothing to the ordinal information... this is an ongoing issue many of us have...

Good luck!