Answers general questions about residential real estate in Florida. More specific answers for the southwest area of Florida - Naples, Bonita Springs, and Estero Florida - Collier and Lee Counties. Will not answer any questions about commercial real estate or business brokerage.
Experience
Experience in the area: I have held a Florida real estate license since 1995 and Florida mortgage broker license since 1996. I have specializes in the residential real estate market as a full-time REALTOR since 1996. Currently a member of the Legal Resources Committee of the Naples Area Board of Realtors.
Organizations Naples Area Board of Realtors, Lake Placid Board of Realtors, Florida Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors
Publications Have been interviewed by the local NBC, ABC, and FOX affiliates about correcting erroneous information on credit reports, local real estate market conditions, and foreclosures. Glenn authors Naples Real Estate Blog
Education/Credentials Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Bentley College, Waltham, Mass.
Post graduate courses at Nova University.
Awards and Honors 2007 Best in Client Satisfaction - Real Estate Agent by Gulfshore Magazine.
2006 Best in Client Satisfaction - Real Estate Agent by Gulfshore Magazine.
I have spent the past 8 months with a realtor that I disliked. We did not see eye-to-eye on things. His communication was poor and he was inconsistent in just about everything he said and did. I asked for, and was assigned another agent from the same firm. However, the very next day, I received a contract on house. I thank my lucky stars that someone wants to buy my house in the current market!!! It was only fair to allow the 1st realtor the commission as I hadn't even met the newly assigned one yet, so I did.
This realtor talked me out of a making a counter offer, even though the buyer bid was $14,000 under asking price by telling me buyer's 1st offer would be null and void if I counter offered. So I didn't counter, as I'm disabled and the cost of medical coverage in the US has put me in the poor house. The buyer had also requested some updates in house, which I responded no to as the particular items have been in good working order for the 14 years I have owned the house. The realtor argued with me about this and told me he couldn't understand why I wouldn't just do it! The buyer was told my response to his request was no and he was fine.
My closing is 2 days away. I have just read this morning an e-mail written by the realtor right before he left on a planned trip yesterday. He indicated someone from his office would represent me at closing. Someone I've never met, don't know the credentials of, etc., etc., nor does he offer any information about the person representing me.
As this was a planned trip, we could have rescheduled for a day or two later when he will be back, but he failed to mention his trip to me and what it would mean for me at closing.
We had previously agreed that e-mail was not an acceptable form of communication when he tried to notified me by e-mail, rather than phone calls, about a buyer wanting to see the house. I missed out because I don't read e-mails every day.
My question is: Does this happen frequently with real estate closings? Is it common practice to have someone else represent you at a real estate closing and not inform the seller even though they knew from day one of the contract that he wouldn't be here on the closing date? Or, do I have a right to be upset with him for not making himself available to represent me at closing?
Livid in Orlando
Answer Dear Livid in Orlando,
The vast majority of real estate agents do in fact attend closings, because issues could come up at the closing table related to the transaction. As a seller of real estate there are generally less issues that can affect a closing.
Generally speaking if your real estate agent can not attend the closing, someone from the real estate brokerage will attend the closing. In your case, since you do not know the real estate that is attending the closing with you, I would suggest that you call the broker for the real estate agency and ask that individual who will be at the closing and what their experience is. This may put you in a comfortable situation.
You might have a reason to be upset with the agent if it was mutually agreed that the individual be at the closing. At the same time, if the real estate agent's plans were set sometime ago and aware that the plans could not be changed, then the individual should have told you in advance that attendance would not be possible.
If you don't mind I would like to take a few moments to explain some of the other issues you brought up in your inquiry:
1) Whenever someone is unhappy with their real estate agent there are two options - a. request a different agent or b. request a termination of listing contract and find another real estate brokerage and agent.
2) Too few consumers ask the important questions about representation, servicing, and attendance through-out the real estate transaction. These questions will in the end ease the emotional stress during the real estate transaction. Too many consumers look for the top-producer or the firm with the most real estate agents, the real estate agent that tells you the highest price for your property, or maybe the lowest commission rate. Consumers need to allow the good real estate agents to present some of the other facets of real estate, before making a decision.
3) It is true that if an offer is presented and the seller counter offers back to the buyer, that the original offer is no longer good, as the terms have changed.
I hope that I have answered your questions as well as helped other people better understand more about real estate transactions and deciding upon a real estate agent.
If you have any other concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me again.
