Jan. 26, 2006 - Sold in 14 Days

What a great listing it was. Two Bedrooms, two full baths. A 1,570 square foot Condo. A corner unit with a northern view,  looking down on a quiet tree lined residential street. Two parking spots in the indoor heated garage. Walking distance to METRA,  PACE, the new Grocery store and all of the other amenities going into the revitalized Downtown district. Yes indeed, this one was destined to have a short market life, it was definitely not going to last long. Any agent working this market would have loved to have gotten this listing, including myself. It's the kind of listing that is a joy to market, a pleasure to attach your name to. It's the kind of listing that would sell itself with little or no effort on your part.

That's why I am so puzzled as to why the agent that listed it saw fit to just blatanly disregard the rules, even after his main infraction was pointed out to him. I can understand why he used the photograph of an address down the street, it was a much nicer angle, but it wasn't a photograph of the address he listed the unit in. I'm sure that every agent out there has gotten a listing where they wished they could have used the photograph of a different, nicer property in the MLS. The rules are in place to prevent that kind of fraudulent advertising though, and most of us agents believe in honest, fair dealing.

Just in case it may have been a mistake, I contacted the agent when the listing first hit the MLS and made him aware that the wrong address was pictured in the listing. He replied back telling me I had too much time on my hands. I personally sent him one of my photographs of the address his unit was listed in, telling him not to worry about my time and what I do with it, but worry about his own disregard for the rules of the MLSNI. Since he had a proper photograph and chose not to use it anyway I would have to believe that he is just one of those agents that could care less about the NAR Code of Ethics, Illinois license law, the rules of the MLSNI, etc., all the things a good upstanding agent lives by. He's a regular snake oil salesman, and the kind of agent that makes For Sale By Owner a popular choice.

I am not going to tell you this agent's name. I didn't even report the infraction to the MLSNI. That would make it look like I was sucking sour grapes over not getting the listing. I am not. I wasn't even interviewed for the listing so it's not like I lost out to this guy. I will just use him as fuel for one of my rants in this here blog. This little blog is being read by more people than I am even aware of. I have put a few stratigic people on the mailing list to get things started. A midwestern corporate representative of the company that ownes the brand that this guy operates under is on the mailing list. Just today I have even added a couple of honest upstanding agents, whose opinion I have always valued, to the mailing list. Perhaps they will comment, thereby showing the buyers and sellers who come to this blog that there are in fact, many honest agents out there, that do care about the rules, that all agents are not created equal. 

Last but not least, always remember and never forget, if you get this blog via e-mail it is because you have either asked to be put on the list, or I put you on the list because you inspired me and fueled this blog, or I look upon you as someone who's opinion I would value if you were to comment. If you would like to not be on the list just e-mail me and say so.