Expert: John - 9/30/2007

Question
I recently got involved with some realtors in the chester co.,Pa area.  These guys were slick. They enter into a contract representing a buyer and then have the house inspected.  They find an assortment of little problems and then get someone ("their builder friends"))to write up a bogus estimates(or write them themselves) exaggerating the problems to get their clients "cash back" at settlement.  I personally am aware of two sales,within a month of each other, totalling over $25,000.00 in exaggerated repairs.
That totals up to alot over a year.  Is this practice legal or are they involved in fraud?

Answer
Hello,
I found your question in the question pool.  I really hope this is not happening as you say it is.  I hope it is a misunderstanding of some how.
But if this is the case or if you wish to have this looked into, then you need to contact your Association of REALTORS®.

Go to:
www.YorkPAhome.com

click on:
Favorite Links

Go down to:
Association of REALTORS®

Click on:
Find the Association of REALTORS® in your county in Pennsylvania

You may want to check the following:
Bar Association
Local Government

You will find links under these for Chester County PA.

If this is true, you will need to contact the Association.

Has anyone got a 2nd or 3rd estimate?  Has anyone got a house inspected by someone of there choice, not the Realtors pick?
Did someone fix it later at a much lower cost?

Best of luck and hope this helps,
John