Comments on: Ummel VS ReMax

By: Kathey Benoit

Kathey Benoit — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:49:34 +0000

I would love to watch this..but nothing has been “posted”. This is also a good reason to avoid negotiating the sale and negotiating the loan. It’s just not worth the extra money.

By: REALonomics

REALonomics — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 23:41:01 +0000

REALonomics will have no further comment on this situation. We wish you well, however.

By: J Smith

J Smith — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 21:36:13 +0000

Yes, you are right. There are all levels of ability. But when we complained to Brenda J. Shores broker at Realty Executives in Gladstone, MO, Mr. Larry Leonti, and asked him to release us from this contract because of Ms. Shores dishonesty, his comment was, “Why Brenda Shores is one of our finest real estate agents. I will never release you.” If Ms. Shores was one of their finest, then what is their worst real estate agent like? Brenda Shores was the finest at being a smooth dishonest scoundrel in a myriad of ways with her clients. And we have a terrific paper trail. It appears the Ummel’s realtor was also considered one of the “finest”….at being an A+ cheat! The Ummel’s trusted him as we were trusting Ms. Shores. If you haven’t read “Freakonomics,” I highly recommend it to all. It describes real estate agents as Klu Klux Klanmen perfectly! Don’t ever sign a buyer broker agreement with any realtor. The only thing the buyer broker agreement does is lock you in to working with a dishonest scoundrel. Then you have no way out. Furthermore, avoid all realtors. The only thing they are looking out for is their own pocketbook and commissions. We applaud the Ummel’s for standing for the right! More people should follow their outstanding example!

By: REALonomics

REALonomics — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 23:48:23 +0000

J. Smith - There is a lot of emotion, anger and bitterness in your comments. Like all industries, the real estate industry has varying degrees of expertise when it comes to brokers/agents. Although we are not familiar with Missouri requirements with respect to agency related disclosure and buyer-broker agreements, it’s important to stress that your comment “we trusted her because she was the ‘professional’,” is telling. The public must have trust in real estate professionals and real estate professionals must prove worthy of trust. REALonomics, this blog, advocates more transparency and more consumer partnership in the real estate transaction. What might your experience been if the Broker had a list of his/her agents, showing their experience levels with sellers and buyers, number of complaints, professional designations and total satisfactory transactions completed in the past 24 months? These are the types of things REALonomics advocates. We wish you well in the future and hope you are able to sort out the negative repercussions of your experience. -REALonomics.

By: J Smith

J Smith — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:05:15 +0000

We hope the Ummel’s win. In January 2006, we moved to Missouri. We were referred to an “excellent” realtor. After spending two days with her(about four hours total) she told us we had to sign a buyer broker agreement. We questioned that….we had never had to sign one of these before….we did not see the need. She told us, “It’s against the law in the state of Missouri to go out with a real estate agent without a buyer broker agreement. I have been taking you around illegally for the past two days as a favor to you and as a favor to your friends who are my friends.” We didn’t know the laws in the state of MO. We trusted her because she was the “professional.” We didn’t want to break Missouri laws…..that was her first big lie. The contract said she would look out for our best interest with full fidelity and integrity. When we found out she was not showing us true comps for neighborhoods, we called her on it. We asked that she release us from this agreement because she was not telling us the truth. It was a two year nightmare. We heartily agree with the NY Times bestseller “Freakonomics” which compares real estate agents to the Klu Klux Klan. So true. We hope in this economic downturn you all are starving to death. Real estate agents like Mike Ummel of ReMax and Brenda J. Shores of Realty Executives don’t seem to know the meaning of honesty, fidelity and integrity. Maybe some day you will learn. “What goes around, comes around.” You will all get your just due.

By: REALonomics

REALonomics — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:19:33 +0000

Steve - We don’t have an update. The case was supposed to go to trial trial in the north county division of San Diego Superior Court on Monday, January 28, 2008. You might be able to Google up some information from the San Deigo newspapers. We will do the same. REALonomics

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 23:41:21 +0000

Does anytone have an update? What happened at trial?

By: REALonomics

REALonomics — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:00:49 +0000

Ralph - You’re absolutely correct. The idea of complete paper trail with adequate disclosures is vital. REALonomics cannot address whether the documentation is complete and the purpose of our post is to simply flag issues we see that can impact the industry, whether negative or positive. Like you, we hope “a complete file” exists. -REALonomics

By: Ralph Ragette

Ralph Ragette — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:30:23 +0000

There must be more to the story as Realonomics does not feel this case is valid, and “it can go either way” because of consumerism? However, the article does not read well for the firm and agent. There is no mention of any documentation of Agency Disclosure, Services, Price Opinions or RESPA. A complete file is their only hope.

By: Robert Barringer

Robert Barringer — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:10:45 +0000

See the Ummel’s Today Show interview that just aired today (1/25/2008).