| Let's face it: When your house goes on the market, | | | | home, it necessitates all kinds of new purchasing |
| you're not only opening the door to prospective buyers, | | | | decisions and less-than-ethical vendors are keenly |
| but also sometimes to unknown vendors and | | | | aware of this. Though MLS organizations enforce rules |
| naïve or unqualified buyers. As with any business | | | | on how posted information is used, some companies |
| transaction, there is an expected protocol to how | | | | have found ways to cull information from various |
| sellers, buyers and their respective agents interact. | | | | sources to produce mass mailing lists. If you find |
| Should you find yourself in a sticky situation, alert your | | | | yourself regularly emptying your mailbox of junk, let |
| agent so he or she can address and remedy the | | | | your agent know. He or she can tap the appropriate |
| problem. | | | | sources to prompt an investigation into the matter. |
| The aggressive agent: | | | | The naïve buyer: |
| When your agent puts your house on the market, | | | | Yard signs, Internet listings and other advertisements |
| typically all promotional materials state clearly that your | | | | can generate a lot of buzz for your home. Some |
| agent is the primary contact for buyers and buyers' | | | | prospective buyers - particularly first-timers - will be so |
| agents. However, sometimes a buyer's agent will | | | | buzzed to see your home that they'll simply drop by. If |
| contact a seller directly to try to either win over their | | | | this happens, no matter how nice these unexpected |
| business or cut the seller's agent out of the deal. This | | | | visitors are, it's best not to humor their enthusiasm by |
| is not reputable behavior and you should report it to | | | | discussing your home or giving an impromptu tour. |
| your agent immediately if it happens to you. | | | | Instead, politely let them know that your real estate |
| The unscrupulous vendor: | | | | agent is in charge of scheduling tours and provide |
| Have you ever started a business or moved into a | | | | them with the agent's contact information. If you |
| new house and suddenly found your mailbox full of | | | | attempt to handle these surprise visits on your own, |
| junk mail? Unfortunately, this also can happen when | | | | you might inadvertently disclose information that could |
| you put your house on the market. When you sell your | | | | hurt you during negotiations down the road. |