Posts by Elliott Caplan

Doing an open house today a couple came in and signed in.  I began to explain disclosed dual agency and had CIS statements there.  He yelled at me, he left and called my manager. He told my manager that  he was at another open house and they didn’t have those papers there.  My manager told [...]

Read More... from Ask Elliott #44: Agency explanation at an Open House

I saw the question about the company phone number being in the e-mail signature and advertisements. But, what if the Broker has a main number and then purchases direct line numbers for agents. [...]

Read More... from Ask Elliott #43: Direct phone number OK?

ELLIOTT HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE A COMPETING BROKER . WHO MAKES APPOINTMENTS TO SHOW MY LISTINGS, THEN SHOWS UP WITH CUSTOMERS AND THEN TELLS THE HOME OWNER: “YOU SHOW HAVE LISTED ME”. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION??? IF THE BROKER WOULD ASK, AS I OFTEN DO, WHEN THERE IS A NEW LISTING THAT I WOULD [...]

Read More... from ASK ELLIOTT #42: Code of Ethics Violation!

If a tenant rents space from a landlord who is also a broker(who owns and manages the building) may I approach the tenant to see if they would like to relocate to a different location? Is that interfering with an existing relationship? [...]

Read More... from ASK ELLIOTT #41: Is the tenant a client?

Seller has disclosed to Broker A they are dissatisfied with their current listing Broker B and will not renew the listing when it expires. When can Broker A discuss with the seller a new listing agreement without interfering with the listing? [...]

Read More... from ASK ELLIOTT #40: Seller unhappy with Broker

What is a bulk sale? An agent asked me to ask you since she’s away and needs an answer [...]

Read More... from ASK ELLIOTT #39: What are “Bulk Sales”?

Hi Elliott………I have a buyer who is so happy with my service that he wants to give me a monetary gift after the closing. Is it ok to take it? My gut says no and I know all commissions must be paid out through the broker but I’m just not sure in the case of [...]

Read More... from ASK ELLIOTT #38: Can I accept a monetary gift from my Buyer?

A friend of mine down San Diego way made an offer on a condo. Counter offer was made, everyone agreed on the deal. Loans in place. On the way to the closing, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck. Is the seller under obligation to disclose any resulting damage? [...]

Read More... from ASK ELLIOTT #37: What to do when an earthquake occurs before closing?

If you say: “I saw it on Zillow”  I will take $100 off ot the price of the house. [...]

Read More... from ASK ELLIOTT #36: Advertising Violation

I have a question- by the way great forum!- I showed my buyers a listing that showed only a short history- when I looked up all prior history on MLS showed it had been listed for over a half a year, sold and boom, then expired then relisted as a totally new listing. My clients [...]

Read More... from ASK ELLIOTT #35: Disclose inspection issues when relisting required?