Q: Is an email from a realtor enough to negate a signed contract to represent a home buyer? No home has been purchased.
My niece is a first time home buyer and has had dealing with two disreputable realtors who manipulated her into signing lengthy contracts. The first released her from the contract via email, and the second refused to submit a bid on a desirable home until she signed a contract. She made it clear that she only wished to be represented by him for this sale to which his partner who showed the home agreed. Then the realtor put a 6 mo. time frame on the contract. She asked him to change it and he said it was too much of a hassle for his office staff and if she wanted the house just to sign as there were other bids and he would not submit hers until she did so and he would not redo the paperwork. She said she would sign if he sent her an email that allowed her to dismiss his services before the end of the contract date. I'm worried that one of these guys may swoop in and create problems for her when she does find a home using a reputable realtor.
A: This does not sound like your problem; this sounds like your niece's problem. And since your niece's problem raises important contractual and legal questions that can injure your niece, I highly recommend that you tell your niece to consult with a real estate lawyer before she does something she may regret.
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