What To Do When Your Real Estate Agent Lies To You
By Lawrence D. Elliott

This could have been the shortest story ever written. If you truly have evidence that your real estate agent has deceived you, you should immediately contact his broker, and if necessary, your state's licensing agency. And if it is early enough in the process, you should fire him immediately.

Now, sometimes it is not possible to fire your agent, but you would be surprised how many people continue working with that agent when it is. All you can do is scratch your head, and ask "Why?"

Some people feel it's a hassle to look for another agent. They figure they might as well continue with this guy. Their logic being a known hell is preferable an unknown situation. And what makes this logic worse is when it is coupled with the belief that all real estate agents are the same. "They all lie, don't they?" they would reply. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. And it is that belief that gets them in trouble.

Now I am not excusing such behavior, but the public does deserve some of the blame. When you accept these lies without any proof being presented, you are not acting on logic, you are acting on emotion. The lying agent knows this and uses this against you. He knows you only believe what fits what you want to hear, not on reality, as it should be. Let's face it, we often know when we're being lied to. There is something in our gut that lets us know that something just doesn't ring true.

But another important reason why the public must take a portion of the blame is because when an agent does tell the truth, backed up with facts, they get their heads taken off and prospective client goes in search of the "truthful" answer--one that fits into their "reality." This puts an agent in a very difficult position: Tell the truth and lose out on a transaction or lie and possibly gain a transaction. What would you do?

Well, I know what I would do and some might consider it stupid. You see, for the honest agent, there really is nowhere else to go. Honesty is a way of life. If it can be easily changed over money issues, then it's not a way of life. It's just lip service. I don't like being in that position, but I will make the "stupid" decision. It's difficult, but right. I sleep well at night and that's fine with me. But keep this in mind, the less-than-honest agent also sleeps well at night. And that fine with him, too.

About the author: Lawrence D. Elliott has been a Realtor® for over 16 years and provides professional representation for clients in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties. He can be reached direct at 1-888-810-SOLD. He also runs a network of real estate web sites, which can be accessed through his main site at www.LawrenceElliott.com