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Exposed: The Truth About Dishonest Real Estate Agents

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Published by:

David Johnson

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Reviewed by:

Alistair Vigier

Last Modified: 2024-01-21

Are you dealing with dishonest real estate agents? Are you looking for a small claims lawyer or paralegal to file a lawsuit for you? You are in luck. ClearWay Law can help you deal with lawsuits against Realtors or real estate agents.

If it is a larger issue, learn about the Supreme Court.

The story below is about a Realtor accused of picking fruits during a property showing.

The idea of listing one of my properties and having random people walk around my house while I am not at home has always made me uncomfortable.

How to Spot Real Estate Agent Scams

This is especially true when it’s an open house, and there might be ten people on the property, and one Realtor to watch them. People could steal things of value.

This is exactly what happened to Jill Chan of BC.

The Realtor stole fruits from the homeowner’s trees with others. Sent to us by Jill Chan.

If you want to speak to a Realtor in BC, we suggest calling Jova Xu. 7786808530 … You can also text this number.

The Realtor Was Caught On Camera

When Ms. Chan, the homeowner returned to her property after the showing, she noticed that all her fruit was gone. The homeowner went to check the camera records and was shocked. She could see the Realtor loading up bags from his car with all of her Pearls.

She posted her video on Facebook and it went viral.

“After noticing our large pear tree and beautiful berry bushes in our garden, and taking advantage of the fact that we weren’t present on-site, he started picking the fruit off the trees and eating it,” Chan wrote describing the video.

The Realtor didn’t just take some fruits or a lot of fruit, he took all of the fruits. Every last one.

The Realtor, Peter Yang, was not even the agent who was working for Ms. Chan. He was the real estate agent for the potential buyers.

Dishonest real estate agents are all over the place in Vancouver BC. But there are also some good ones. We can make a recommendation.

Dealing With The Issue

Ms. Chan of course filed a complaint with the Realtor’s regulator so that they could investigate.

She’s since filed a complaint with the Real Estate Board.

Realtors have a code of conduct, and professionalism is first and foremost because we are dealing with a lot of money on behalf of our clients,” said chair Colette Gerber.

The Real Estate Council of BC wrote “As agents, real estate professionals have a responsibility to act honestly and to put their client’s interests ahead of their own. RECBC is committed to protecting real estate consumers and enforcing high standards of professional conduct.”

The Realtor could be fined $30K, or have his license taken away.

Unethical real estate agents

Peter Yang works for Luxmore Realty. The Brokerage publicly apologized, but there was no mention that Mr. Yang was disciplined or let go.

There is no doubt that this Realtor should lose their license. He should never be allowed to show another property without supervision again.

This is the reason I created a website to operate as a  for the public. We investigate Realtors and only allow the best ones on our platform. If we see any dishonest actions by a real estate agent, we would never refer anyone to them again.

If you are wanting to file a lawsuit against dishonest real estate agents, contact us.

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Unethical real estate agents stories in British Columbia

As a resident of BC, I can attest to the disturbing stories I’ve heard about unethical real estate agents in the province. These tales range from mildly frustrating to downright terrifying, and they all underscore the need for greater accountability and oversight in the real estate industry.

One story that comes to mind involves a young couple searching for their first home in Vancouver. They had been working with a real estate agent for several months and thought they had found the perfect property.

Misleading Tactics Employed by Dishonest Real Estate Agents

But when they tried to put in an offer, they discovered that their agent had already made an offer on the same property, and even convinced the seller to accept a lower offer than the one the couple had prepared to make.

Upon confrontation, the agent claimed to have made the offer on behalf of a “friend,” but the couple later learned that the agent had a financial interest in the property and had been trying to flip it for a profit.

The couple immediately severed ties with the agent and filed a complaint with the Real Estate Council of British Columbia.

This type of behaviour is not rare in the province. A recent CBC News investigation revealed that hundreds of real estate agents in BC have faced disciplinary action in the past decade, with many being reprimanded for unethical behaviour such as double-ending deals, falsifying documents, and failing to disclose conflicts of interest.

Forged a client’s signature on a contract

One case that stands out involved an agent who forged a client’s signature on a contract, resulting in the sale of the client’s property without their knowledge or consent.

The agent was later fined $25,000 by the Real Estate Council and had their license suspended for a year, but the damage had already been done.

Another issue in the BC real estate industry is the practice of “shadow flipping,” where an agent resells a property multiple times before the original sale has even closed, often resulting in a significant price markup.

This practice can be especially detrimental to vulnerable populations such as seniors and low-income families, who may not realize the actual value of their property and can lose out on tens of thousands of dollars in equity.

The Hidden Costs of Dealing with Dishonest Real Estate Professionals

Despite these disconcerting trends, there are signs that the industry may be improving. In 2018, the BC government implemented new regulations to crack down on shadow flipping and other unethical practices, including increased disclosure requirements and stricter penalties for non-compliance.

Organizations like the Real Estate Council of BC and the BC Real Estate Association are striving to raise awareness of ethical issues in the industry and provide resources for agents and consumers alike.

Much work remains to ensure that real estate agents in BC are held to the highest standards of professionalism and ethics.

Conduct their due diligence

In the interim, consumers must exercise caution when working with real estate agents and conduct their due diligence before entering into any agreements.

This may involve researching an agent’s reputation and credentials, requesting references from past clients, and meticulously reviewing all documentation before signing.

It is also imperative that consumers understand their rights and speak up if they suspect any unethical behaviour by their agent. This may entail lodging a complaint with the Real Estate Council or taking legal action, if necessary.

By doing so, consumers can play an active role in promoting greater accountability and transparency in the BC real estate industry.

Can you sue a real estate agent for lying?

The process of buying or selling a home can be one of the most significant financial decisions a person makes in their lifetime. It’s an emotional experience that can be overwhelming and stressful for many.

Real estate agents are often relied upon to guide clients through the process, but what happens when that trust is betrayed? When an agent lies or misleads their client, it can have devastating consequences. So, can you sue a real estate agent for lying? The answer is yes, but it’s not as simple as it may seem.

To win a lawsuit against a real estate agent, you’ll need to prove that they made a false statement that was material to the transaction and that you suffered harm as a result. A false statement can be anything untrue or misleading.

It could be as small as exaggerating the view from the property or as significant as concealing structural issues. However, the false statement must be material to the transaction, meaning it would have influenced your decision to buy or sell the property.

Dishonest real estate agents

Proving that you suffered harm as a result of the false statement can also be challenging. Harm can come in many forms, such as lost money, lost time, or lost opportunities.

If you purchased a property based on false information from your agent and later discovered that the property had significant structural issues, you might be able to sue the agent for the cost of repairs.

While it’s possible to sue a real estate agent for lying, they do have legal protections. One of these protections is puffery, which refers to exaggerated or vague statements that are not meant to be taken literally.

Protecting Yourself from Dishonesty in the Real Estate Market

An agent telling you a property has “amazing views” would be considered puffery. However, if the agent makes a specific, verifiable statement that turns out to be false, that would not be considered puffery.

Another legal protection that real estate agents have is an innocent misrepresentation. This occurs when an agent makes a false statement unintentionally.

To be held liable for innocent misrepresentation, the agent must have had a reasonable belief that the statement was true and must have taken steps to verify the information.

What is the biggest mistake real estate agents make?

As someone who is looking to buy or sell a home, you want to work with a real estate agent who is reliable, trustworthy, and has your best interests at heart. Not all agents meet these standards, which can lead to frustration, disappointment, and even financial loss.

One of the most important qualities of a good real estate agent is integrity. They should be honest, and transparent, and always act in the best interest of their clients. However, some agents make the mistake of putting their interests first.

Case Studies: Experiences with Dishonest Real Estate Agents

This can include pressuring clients to make a sale or purchase that isn’t right for them, withholding important information, or manipulating prices.

These actions not only violate the trust between the agent and client but can also lead to a negative reputation and loss of business.

Communication is another crucial aspect of working with a real estate agent. Clients rely on their agents to guide them through the complex process of buying or selling a home.

Some agents don’t prioritize communication, which can lead to frustration and confusion. Clients may feel ignored or uncertain about the status of their sale, which can erode trust and cause them to seek out other agents.

Dishonest real estate agents

A good real estate agent should also take the time to understand their client’s needs and preferences. Every client is unique, and agents who assume that everyone wants the same type of home or neighbourhood risk missing out on opportunities.

By listening to their client’s desires and concerns, agents can tailor their approach to each individual, which can lead to faster and more successful transactions.

To stay competitive in today’s real estate market, agents need to be tech-savvy and adapt to new tools and trends. This includes using social media, online marketing, and virtual tours to promote listings and connect with clients.

Avoiding Fraud: What to Know about Dishonest Real Estate Agents

Agents who fail to embrace these technologies may miss out on potential business and fall behind the competition.

Networking and marketing are essential for real estate agents to establish themselves as experts and attract new clients. Agents who invest time and effort into building relationships with other professionals in the industry, attending events, and maintaining a strong online presence can stand out from the crowd and build a loyal client base.

What is misrepresentation by a real estate agent?

If an estate agent knowingly deceives the buyer of a property, that is classified as misrepresentation. For example, if they do not tell them about structural defects. The real estate agent has to disclose these kinds of issues.

How can I determine if there is negligence committed by a real estate agent?

How you determine whether a real estate agent has committed negligence depends, in part, on the circumstances. Property defects are fairly easy, if they were not included in the listing or damage list you have the proof you need.

Provided that is that you uncover and report the defect quickly after taking possession.

What is shadow flipping, and how are real estate agents involved?

Shadow flipping is when a property is bought and quickly sold without any renovations being done. It also happens when people buy units in condos that are still being built and sell them before they are finished.

Naturally, in both instances, the aim is to sell the property for a higher price while paying the minimum amount of tax. Real estate agents become involved by finding buyers for these transactions. In some cases, they earn multiple commissions.

Reach out to us if you need to file a lawsuit due to dishonest real estate agents.

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