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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
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    3,509

    Default Had a Realtor Pitch His "Pay to Play" Program to Me

    So I did a 2nd inspection for a buyer a couple weeks ago and his realtor shows up towards the end. He seems like a nice enough guy and as we're leaving, he asks me how far I travel for inspections and that he likes to give his buyers options on who they hire. Sounds fine. I think maybe I'll hear from him, maybe I won't. Well he called me a couple days ago and lays out his "marketing agreement" to me and asks if I'm interested in growing my business. He said he may do 15-20 deals a year and that if he's going to send $5,000.00 in business somebody's way, it would be nice to get something in return like $50 per inspection. I told him no thanks and that my association's COE prohibits me from engaging in this type of arrangement. He tried to tell me it's not about breaking the rules or doing anything illegal, it's about working around the rules.

    Ooooo-k.

    Similar Threads:
    Inspection Referral
    "It takes a big man to cry. It takes an even bigger man to laugh at that man". - Jack Handey

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
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    2,560

    Default Re: Had a Realtor Pitch His "Pay to Play" Program to Me

    Ask him to put his proposal in writing, and you will consider it. Then forward it to the Board of Realtors.


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
    Posts
    3,509

    Default Re: Had a Realtor Pitch His "Pay to Play" Program to Me

    I really couldn't believe what I was hearing out his mouth. I hope to never hear from him again.

    "It takes a big man to cry. It takes an even bigger man to laugh at that man". - Jack Handey

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Caledon, Ontario
    Posts
    4,982

    Default Re: Had a Realtor Pitch His "Pay to Play" Program to Me

    ... it's not about breaking the rules or doing anything illegal, it's about working around the rules.
    Priceless! Makes you wonder what else he is working around?


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Plano, Texas
    Posts
    4,245

    Default Re: Had a Realtor Pitch His "Pay to Play" Program to Me

    Amazing that some agents know so little about "their" ethical standards and are willing to risk losing their license, fines and posibly going to jail for violating Federal RESPA standards.
    RESPA - Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act Home Page - HUD

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Had a Realtor Pitch His "Pay to Play" Program to Me

    The best way to handle agents like that is to say 'Sure, 50 bucks is no big deal, I look forward to our next inspection.' ... then contact the local TV station and tell them what you are setting up - invite them to come along as a 'trainee inspector' ... bring a hidden camera - when the agent calls and sets up the inspection, contact your TV news reporter so they can come along for the ride.

    Then watch the news that night as that agent is exposed on the 6:00 local TV news!

    And, as a by-product of the news story, guess who will be receiving all that valuable publicity to all the local viewers ... YOU!

    That is what you call a win-win-win (for the TV news station, for the citizens of the area, and for you) situation.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Lansdale, PA
    Posts
    876

    Default Re: Had a Realtor Pitch His "Pay to Play" Program to Me

    That is the kind of agent that I would make sure I am not available if he called or referred me an inspection.


  8. #8

    Default Re: Had a Realtor Pitch His "Pay to Play" Program to Me

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall View Post
    Amazing that some agents know so little about "their" ethical standards and are willing to risk losing their license, fines and posibly going to jail for violating Federal RESPA standards.
    RESPA - Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act Home Page - HUD
    Absolutely correct.

    Turn them in. They are actively perusing this type of violation. Also contact their Broker.

    PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING AND INSPECTION COMPANY INCLUDING FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS

    http://jeffghooper.com/

  9. #9
    Bob Ross's Avatar
    Bob Ross Guest

    Default Re: Had a Realtor Pitch His "Pay to Play" Program to Me

    I had one similar here in New Mexico early 2014. We were looking to purchase a short sale home. I told the realtor I needed to setup a time to do an inspection. She flat out told me in writing, that the bank will not allow me to perform my own inspection because I'm not licensed.

    I said really? but she had a list of three that would do a fantastic job for me and I wasn't allowed to be present they work alone.

    So having received the banks name prior to all this, I contacted their legal department and asked how long they have been doing this and when would they like to have my attorney contact them.

    We didn't take the house, she realtor no longer lists their properties.

    Quote Originally Posted by JeffGHooper View Post
    Absolutely correct.

    Turn them in. They are actively perusing this type of violation. Also contact their Broker.



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