I am currently in the middle of signing a lease with this real estate broker that I found through an add on craigslist. I saw the apartment and liked it very much. The application was at no fee, and he called later to tell me that I got the apartment. What keeps me a bit alert is: (1)his business card does not specify the address of his office, (2) his email is hotmail account, (3) he wants me to sign the lease in the apartment (why not his office). Basically, I want to know if there any way to verify that this broker is legitimate and not a scam.
2006-06-13 12:45:46 · 15 answers · asked by Iamverybroken 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
I like the way to check posted by John S. Is there such online services for New York City?
2006-06-13 13:25:13 · update #1
Go to your states online Department of REALTORS or reator licensee list.
I would point you in the right direction with a link if I knew what state you lived in.
2006-06-13 12:48:20 · answer #1 · answered by ~Trey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The bureau of licenses will have a record of his license, so you can verify.
Iam a Realtor, iam not licensed right now because it expired and i changed careers, but when i was practicing i had a yahoo account. My broker didnt have a server for a business account.
Becoming a broker is just as easy as becoming an agent, theres just more classes and more money involved in the beginning. Many people who start dont work from offices but from home, and arent set up yet. Its hard to get going when youre first starting into it, you dont make ANYTHING but commission. And that is generally only 3-7% of the sale.
Iam not saying it isnt perfectly normal. I would check into it. Your best bet is to have a lawyer for ANY real estate transaction. They are able to sniff out a crook easier.
Ask him to see his license. He must carry it with him everywhere he goes. They will have all his information on it, a control number, some have watermarks. But mostly they just look like a temporary drivers license. There is no picture, jsut a little piece of paper, from a printer.
2006-06-13 12:52:32 · answer #2 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may not want the realtor to know you are suspicious. If this is the case go online and find the phone number to your states real estate commision. If he says he is a realtor you can call the board of realtors. Most state require that agents work from an office, however, some allow agents and brokers to work from home under specific guidelines. I would check him out. I hope this will help you.
2006-06-13 12:53:07 · answer #3 · answered by Patrick O 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most states license brokers/agents. Call or go online with your state licensing agency and they will tell you his license status.
It is strange that he doesn't have his office address on his card, but a hotmail or yahoo acount makes perfect sense (if he changes office or goes to work somewhere else he can keep his email account) and signing you in the apt makes sense to me also. That way you can get one final look at what you are getting so there's no question about condition on delivery.
Good luck
2006-06-13 12:53:14 · answer #4 · answered by GaryODS 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a licensed real estate broker. Every state should have an online licensing website (e.g., in CA it's the Department of Real Estate) where you can search this persons status. It'll say whether he or she is active, suspended, or revoked and whether any claims have been levied against the licensee. Good luck.
2006-06-13 12:59:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you live in California you can logon to the California Department of Real Estate Website and follow my instructions below.
* logon: www.dre.ca.com
*Scoll down to : Online Services
*Click in DRE online services.
* Scoll down to: Licensee Status Inquiries
*Click on Real Estate Licensees, Brokers, Corporations
Type in License number If known, OR
Type the brokers Name and Address.
Good Luck.
John S.:.... Real Estate Broker.
2006-06-13 13:08:30 · answer #6 · answered by John S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call your local Real Estate Commission and ask. The will tell you if he is a legitimate broker and also if there have been any complaints against him.
2006-06-13 12:50:02 · answer #7 · answered by david s 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the Board of Commission, REALTORS In your state. And for the email. I am a REALTOR and i have a yahoo addy but i also own a company name too. Its no big deal which email host you use.
2006-06-13 13:11:34 · answer #8 · answered by Miss Miller 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your state real estate commission will tell you just call them and give him his name.
or ask for his license # and call to verify it
2006-06-13 12:48:47 · answer #9 · answered by equityfirstproperties 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Need a good realtor for you area? I work with a network of realtors nation-wide http://www.pauld-kw.com
2006-06-13 17:15:47 · answer #10 · answered by Paul & Debbie D 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋