Weeding out rogue property agents

[mr funny]

http://www.straitstimes.com/Singapore/Story/STIStory_598549.html

Nov 3, 2010

Weeding out rogue property agents


IT WILL take a few years before new rules aimed at weeding out rogue property agents drive down the number of complaints, the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) said yesterday.

Case director Seah Seng Choon made the prediction as it emerged that property agents are among the 10 most-complained-about professions here. A code of conduct for the industry, announced last month, is being enforced by a new statutory body, the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA).

Mr Seah said: 'It'll take a few years for agents and consumers to be more familiar with the rules. That's when I expect the complaints to go down.'

He was speaking at a PropNex Realty convention at Suntec convention centre, where the firm's book, The Ultimate Guide To Real Estate Investment In Singapore, was launched.

Last year, Case received 1,079 complaints against property agents for unsatisfactory service and making misleading claims. This makes the industry the sixth most-complained-about sector. The three most-complained- about sectors last year were timeshare (2,523 cases), beauty (2,060 cases) and education (1,843 cases).

The CEA has the authority to fine, suspend or revoke the licences of property agents who break the rules. From Jan 1, only CEA-registered agents will be allowed to work.

The new code bans agents from representing both buyer and seller, or referring clients to moneylenders. They must also have a system for handling complaints and follow advertising guidelines.

CHERYL ONG

[Shacain]

Had a bad experience recently. Propertyguru information stated the unit and price of the asking price, called up this agent(name John Tan) from Prop Nex and agreed to view the place. Upon reaching the place(just the next day), the price was increased. Worst of all, the stated unit is still occupied and not selling at all...there is no such unit for sale!!!! Wasted our time taking leave to view the place...very PISS OFF... i guessed many have experience these. Just for sharing.:doh:

[august]

Had a bad experience recently. Propertyguru information stated the unit and price of the asking price, called up this agent(name John Tan) from Prop Nex and agreed to view the place. Upon reaching the place(just the next day), the price was increased. Worst of all, the stated unit is still occupied and not selling at all...there is no such unit for sale!!!! Wasted our time taking leave to view the place...very PISS OFF... i guessed many have experience these. Just for sharing.:doh:

they do this to meet potential buyers and hopefully get exclusive agent status

[Shacain]

if only they were there to greet and meet potential buyers! Problem is when we were there, they were no where in sight and merely referred us to another agent, who is just as blurred and do not know who is John tan. I checked the propertyguru the very night, i think he took off his advert! Sigh :tongue3:

[teddybear]

If you inked the OTP with the other agent, he instantly got a cut of the commission without even he himself being there as he is the buyer's referral co-broke agent! Heard and seen too many of such agents nowsadays! Remember, they always advertise low low prices! :banghead:


if only they were there to greet and meet potential buyers! Problem is when we were there, they were no where in sight and merely referred us to another agent, who is just as blurred and do not know who is John tan. I checked the propertyguru the very night, i think he took off his advert! Sigh :tongue3:

[xebay11]

if only they were there to greet and meet potential buyers! Problem is when we were there, they were no where in sight and merely referred us to another agent, who is just as blurred and do not know who is John tan. I checked the propertyguru the very night, i think he took off his advert! Sigh :tongue3:

Honest mistake?

[amk]

from Prop Nex

Very very common tactic employed by some agents from this agency. They have no unit for sale. They however will always advertise a lower price, because buyers will call the lower asking price one. They will then refer u to the real agent who has the unit, thus instantly getting cobroke comm, by doing nothing. Sometimes they blanket advertise for a project for all types of units to gather the potential buyers.

As a seller, I had never used, and will never use, an agent like this. As a buyer, I will always ask the advertising agent 1st whether this is his unit, not cobroke. I will even ask the stack to make sure it's a real unit.

[Geylang OKT]

Visit CONDOsingapore.com more often. :D :D :D

We will provide you more info and details of caveats far better than those unscrupulous property agents. :tongue3: :tongue3: :tongue3:

[Shacain]

Thanks for all the sharing and making known to all the people looking for houses. I thought Porpertyguru is one of the good source for enquiry....haiz.... Agent ah agent......pls for goodness sake, dun trick people liao...earn $ also must be proper, like tat is NO GOOD!!!! Cheers..:tsk-tsk: