Shaming Scummy Realtors

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My parents have a SFH on a half acre in Mclean (22101), which, for non locals, is arguably the most sought after zip in the DC area. The house is owned outright. It is absolutely move in ready, and updated with new a kitchen and baths in 2014, but it is 'modest' at 3000sqf, 4 beds, 3.5 baths.

The lowest priced SFH in that zip is 1.8. My sister and I have been interviewing agents to either sell the house now or put it into a rental program until the market improves (spring 26/fall 26, lower rates when the Fed cuts, etc.).

Two of the 5 agents we spoke with tried to persuade us to list the house at 1.2. That's $200,000 BELOW Fairfax County's assessment. The other 3 suggested a list of 1.7- 1.8. We thanked the low ballers and declined their services and they both wrote us emails telling us we were 'ignorant' of the market and would 'NEVER' get 1.7.

The tone was rude, aggressive and unsolicited. It also smelled a lot like misogyny.

My DH wants to put them on blast, broadcast their emails, contact their brokers, slam them on the NVAR website, contact Richmond etc. I want them to suffer consequences too.

Have you ever gone scorched earth on realtors trying to take advantage of you?

If so, how?

How do you function, OP? You asked these realtors for their professional advice and they gave it to you. You don’t want to take their advice (you presumably don’t even know if it’s correct).

These realtors are also correct that that you are ignorant about the market, because it will not improve in 4-6 months. The fed cutting rates by a quarter in December, which is kind of a toss up because of higher than expected inflation, will put mortgages in the high 5s. No one will bite at that with high inflation, a weak job market, and consumer sentiment and the market tanking.

You need to adjust your expectations to the current reality and leave those realtors alone.

Decreasing rates doesn't spur sales?

Did you even take Econ 101 at NOVA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My parents have a SFH on a half acre in Mclean (22101), which, for non locals, is arguably the most sought after zip in the DC area. The house is owned outright. It is absolutely move in ready, and updated with new a kitchen and baths in 2014, but it is 'modest' at 3000sqf, 4 beds, 3.5 baths.

The lowest priced SFH in that zip is 1.8. My sister and I have been interviewing agents to either sell the house now or put it into a rental program until the market improves (spring 26/fall 26, lower rates when the Fed cuts, etc.).

Two of the 5 agents we spoke with tried to persuade us to list the house at 1.2. That's $200,000 BELOW Fairfax County's assessment. The other 3 suggested a list of 1.7- 1.8. We thanked the low ballers and declined their services and they both wrote us emails telling us we were 'ignorant' of the market and would 'NEVER' get 1.7.

The tone was rude, aggressive and unsolicited. It also smelled a lot like misogyny.

My DH wants to put them on blast, broadcast their emails, contact their brokers, slam them on the NVAR website, contact Richmond etc. I want them to suffer consequences too.

Have you ever gone scorched earth on realtors trying to take advantage of you?

If so, how?

How do you function, OP? You asked these realtors for their professional advice and they gave it to you. You don’t want to take their advice (you presumably don’t even know if it’s correct).

These realtors are also correct that that you are ignorant about the market, because it will not improve in 4-6 months. The fed cutting rates by a quarter in December, which is kind of a toss up because of higher than expected inflation, will put mortgages in the high 5s. No one will bite at that with high inflation, a weak job market, and consumer sentiment and the market tanking.

You need to adjust your expectations to the current reality and leave those realtors alone.

Decreasing rates doesn't spur sales?

Did you even take Econ 101 at NOVA?

Is this satire or are you really this toxic?

You lack a foundational understanding of economics which is why you believe that “decreasing rates will spur sales.”

Big picture: There is maybe a 1/4 point rate cut coming in December. And the rate cut would be due to the Fed’s concern that consumers are pulling back and pessimistic, the labor market is weakening, and business investment outside of AI is stalling. In this context, a 1/4 point rate cut is unlikely to materially change buyers’ positions.

Small picture: You are trying to sell a home with a kitchen and bathrooms that were last updated 12 years ago in a bad market. Renovations that were done 12 years ago are not recent and no one says that their house is “in a rental program.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The scummy realtors are in the back pocket of a spec developer who want to acquire your estate sale on the cheap. They want that land.

There’s a realtor in our neighborhood in NW DC who hovers like a hawk when one of the old long time residents die. She is very good at convincing the out of town family members to sell off market to her developer clients for 15-20% below fair market value.

Those realtors are not working for you; they are working for their repeat clients (developers). Stick to your guns and don’t let them abuse you & low ball.

This. It sounds like OP's parents property is a candidate for a tear down if it's in a desirable part of that zip code. .5 acre lots can command north of 4 mil for new construction homes in some neighborhoods, so developers or families realtors work with are seeking the best deals. It's nothing personal, and OP's parents are not "targeted" or discriminated in any way. These realtors likely cast a very wide net trying to find someone who would give them a deal for a quick sale especially when they have buyers standing by and waiting for a deal to come up. Think of it as a "wholesale" deal.

it's just opportunism and nothing personal. It's your right to just walk away and find someone who would work with you to sell at whatever price you want.

If this is true, then it would be very reasonable for op to post reviews that are factual. It would be completely reasonable for her to post about a poor attitude and that the agent tried to push them to list at a lower price than reasonable. Give others a warning op. The truth isn't slander.

If you re-read OP...it's not even that...it's the fact that a couple of realtors, when told OP was not selecting them, thought they should respond with snarky and unsolicited opinions of why OP was making a terrible mistake and how wrong OP was. I am sure other realtors where OP declined their services, thanked OP for being considered and wished OP best of luck and OP left with a positive view of those realtors.

It's just really strange why certain realtors felt the need to respond the way they did.

So what exactly was said there? Because I don't think their responses were strange at all if OP came of as an unhinged nutjob of which there is a non zero possibility considering the batshit reaction to go scorched earth against someone who didn't agree with your unproven assessment of your property value. Two separate and presumably unassociated people who deal with rejection frequently were triggered enough to clap back so it's a big assumption OP is some reasonable person who politely declined their services.

+1.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The scummy realtors are in the back pocket of a spec developer who want to acquire your estate sale on the cheap. They want that land.

There’s a realtor in our neighborhood in NW DC who hovers like a hawk when one of the old long time residents die. She is very good at convincing the out of town family members to sell off market to her developer clients for 15-20% below fair market value.

Those realtors are not working for you; they are working for their repeat clients (developers). Stick to your guns and don’t let them abuse you & low ball.

This. It sounds like OP's parents property is a candidate for a tear down if it's in a desirable part of that zip code. .5 acre lots can command north of 4 mil for new construction homes in some neighborhoods, so developers or families realtors work with are seeking the best deals. It's nothing personal, and OP's parents are not "targeted" or discriminated in any way. These realtors likely cast a very wide net trying to find someone who would give them a deal for a quick sale especially when they have buyers standing by and waiting for a deal to come up. Think of it as a "wholesale" deal.

it's just opportunism and nothing personal. It's your right to just walk away and find someone who would work with you to sell at whatever price you want.

If this is true, then it would be very reasonable for op to post reviews that are factual. It would be completely reasonable for her to post about a poor attitude and that the agent tried to push them to list at a lower price than reasonable. Give others a warning op. The truth isn't slander.

If you re-read OP...it's not even that...it's the fact that a couple of realtors, when told OP was not selecting them, thought they should respond with snarky and unsolicited opinions of why OP was making a terrible mistake and how wrong OP was. I am sure other realtors where OP declined their services, thanked OP for being considered and wished OP best of luck and OP left with a positive view of those realtors.

It's just really strange why certain realtors felt the need to respond the way they did.

So what exactly was said there? Because I don't think their responses were strange at all if OP came of as an unhinged nutjob of which there is a non zero possibility considering the batshit reaction to go scorched earth against someone who didn't agree with your unproven assessment of your property value. Two separate and presumably unassociated people who deal with rejection frequently were triggered enough to clap back so it's a big assumption OP is some reasonable person who politely declined their services.

OP is 'batshit'? because they refused to be taken advantage of? I think you need some help. I went through this with vehicles when my dad stopped driving. I took his 3 year old, 9000 mile pristine, garaged Outback to the dealership we bought it at to sell it back. They tried telling me that Subarus had lost so much value recently, this scratch here will cost so much to repair, blah, blah, blah and low balled me by 7 grand. Carmax literally paid me $6900 more than the dealer offered.

I mean, you do know how sales people get paid, right?

OP can sell her house to carmax. Problem solved!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The scummy realtors are in the back pocket of a spec developer who want to acquire your estate sale on the cheap. They want that land.

There’s a realtor in our neighborhood in NW DC who hovers like a hawk when one of the old long time residents die. She is very good at convincing the out of town family members to sell off market to her developer clients for 15-20% below fair market value.

Those realtors are not working for you; they are working for their repeat clients (developers). Stick to your guns and don’t let them abuse you & low ball.

This. It sounds like OP's parents property is a candidate for a tear down if it's in a desirable part of that zip code. .5 acre lots can command north of 4 mil for new construction homes in some neighborhoods, so developers or families realtors work with are seeking the best deals. It's nothing personal, and OP's parents are not "targeted" or discriminated in any way. These realtors likely cast a very wide net trying to find someone who would give them a deal for a quick sale especially when they have buyers standing by and waiting for a deal to come up. Think of it as a "wholesale" deal.

it's just opportunism and nothing personal. It's your right to just walk away and find someone who would work with you to sell at whatever price you want.

If this is true, then it would be very reasonable for op to post reviews that are factual. It would be completely reasonable for her to post about a poor attitude and that the agent tried to push them to list at a lower price than reasonable. Give others a warning op. The truth isn't slander.

If you re-read OP...it's not even that...it's the fact that a couple of realtors, when told OP was not selecting them, thought they should respond with snarky and unsolicited opinions of why OP was making a terrible mistake and how wrong OP was. I am sure other realtors where OP declined their services, thanked OP for being considered and wished OP best of luck and OP left with a positive view of those realtors.

It's just really strange why certain realtors felt the need to respond the way they did.

So what exactly was said there? Because I don't think their responses were strange at all if OP came of as an unhinged nutjob of which there is a non zero possibility considering the batshit reaction to go scorched earth against someone who didn't agree with your unproven assessment of your property value. Two separate and presumably unassociated people who deal with rejection frequently were triggered enough to clap back so it's a big assumption OP is some reasonable person who politely declined their services.

+1.

Can we just take a moment to acknowledge that this is not even OP’s house?

Are you broke, OP? Is this your inheritance? When you said your husband fully agreed with you was he wearing headphones and watching a Commanders game?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The scummy realtors are in the back pocket of a spec developer who want to acquire your estate sale on the cheap. They want that land.

There’s a realtor in our neighborhood in NW DC who hovers like a hawk when one of the old long time residents die. She is very good at convincing the out of town family members to sell off market to her developer clients for 15-20% below fair market value.

Those realtors are not working for you; they are working for their repeat clients (developers). Stick to your guns and don’t let them abuse you & low ball.

This. It sounds like OP's parents property is a candidate for a tear down if it's in a desirable part of that zip code. .5 acre lots can command north of 4 mil for new construction homes in some neighborhoods, so developers or families realtors work with are seeking the best deals. It's nothing personal, and OP's parents are not "targeted" or discriminated in any way. These realtors likely cast a very wide net trying to find someone who would give them a deal for a quick sale especially when they have buyers standing by and waiting for a deal to come up. Think of it as a "wholesale" deal.

it's just opportunism and nothing personal. It's your right to just walk away and find someone who would work with you to sell at whatever price you want.

If this is true, then it would be very reasonable for op to post reviews that are factual. It would be completely reasonable for her to post about a poor attitude and that the agent tried to push them to list at a lower price than reasonable. Give others a warning op. The truth isn't slander.

If you re-read OP...it's not even that...it's the fact that a couple of realtors, when told OP was not selecting them, thought they should respond with snarky and unsolicited opinions of why OP was making a terrible mistake and how wrong OP was. I am sure other realtors where OP declined their services, thanked OP for being considered and wished OP best of luck and OP left with a positive view of those realtors.

It's just really strange why certain realtors felt the need to respond the way they did.

So what exactly was said there? Because I don't think their responses were strange at all if OP came of as an unhinged nutjob of which there is a non zero possibility considering the batshit reaction to go scorched earth against someone who didn't agree with your unproven assessment of your property value. Two separate and presumably unassociated people who deal with rejection frequently were triggered enough to clap back so it's a big assumption OP is some reasonable person who politely declined their services.

You are a drama queen. Ridiculous.

I'm not a drama queen in the slightest, but I know how to spot them! OP gives those vibes.

[Anonymous]

All,

OP came back and gave the update that in fact she was able to sell the house for over $1.7MM and it sold very quickly.

It would appear she was in fact quite right in this example, so anyone trying to side with the shitty realtors need to move on in this case.

[Anonymous]

This shows that you can never trust realtors. The more you check their true intentions behind every recommendation, better you would do. Trust your gut and believe that realtor is not to help you in anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s absolutely not the most sought after zip in the DMV.

Georgetown, Kalorama, Mass Heights, Kent in DC all have much higher median home prices and some of the most expensive homes in the area.

+1 and I wouldn’t even say it’s the most sought after zip in Northern VA. Most people I know wanted to land in 22207. We ended up in 22205, which we prefer over being further out in 22101.

And yes I know there are some exceptionally expensive homes in McLean that appeal to a particular demographic (and also relate to there being larger lot sizes making it possible to build these mansions). I’m sure there’d be $10M + homes in Arlington if 1 acre + lots existed to support those homes. But in general, I know way more people in their 30s/40s who sought North Arlington or FCC (22046) than McLean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s absolutely not the most sought after zip in the DMV.

Georgetown, Kalorama, Mass Heights, Kent in DC all have much higher median home prices and some of the most expensive homes in the area.

+1 and I wouldn’t even say it’s the most sought after zip in Northern VA. Most people I know wanted to land in 22207. We ended up in 22205, which we prefer over being further out in 22101.

And yes I know there are some exceptionally expensive homes in McLean that appeal to a particular demographic (and also relate to there being larger lot sizes making it possible to build these mansions). I’m sure there’d be $10M + homes in Arlington if 1 acre + lots existed to support those homes. But in general, I know way more people in their 30s/40s who sought North Arlington or FCC (22046) than McLean.

Same. McLean today is for professional athletes, wealthy first-gen Americans (Indians, Asians, middle easterners), etc. Whereas 10 years ago your Deloitte partners or big law lawyers were buying there, today they’re sticking to N Arlington or moco / NW DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s absolutely not the most sought after zip in the DMV.

Georgetown, Kalorama, Mass Heights, Kent in DC all have much higher median home prices and some of the most expensive homes in the area.

+1 and I wouldn’t even say it’s the most sought after zip in Northern VA. Most people I know wanted to land in 22207. We ended up in 22205, which we prefer over being further out in 22101.

And yes I know there are some exceptionally expensive homes in McLean that appeal to a particular demographic (and also relate to there being larger lot sizes making it possible to build these mansions). I’m sure there’d be $10M + homes in Arlington if 1 acre + lots existed to support those homes. But in general, I know way more people in their 30s/40s who sought North Arlington or FCC (22046) than McLean.

Same. McLean today is for professional athletes, wealthy first-gen Americans (Indians, Asians, middle easterners), etc. Whereas 10 years ago your Deloitte partners or big law lawyers were buying there, today they’re sticking to N Arlington or moco / NW DC.

LOL. Literally 75% of all DC based Venable partners live in Mclean. Like, it's literally where big law goes to live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My parents have a SFH on a half acre in Mclean (22101), which, for non locals, is arguably the most sought after zip in the DC area. The house is owned outright. It is absolutely move in ready, and updated with new a kitchen and baths in 2014, but it is 'modest' at 3000sqf, 4 beds, 3.5 baths.

The lowest priced SFH in that zip is 1.8. My sister and I have been interviewing agents to either sell the house now or put it into a rental program until the market improves (spring 26/fall 26, lower rates when the Fed cuts, etc.).

Two of the 5 agents we spoke with tried to persuade us to list the house at 1.2. That's $200,000 BELOW Fairfax County's assessment. The other 3 suggested a list of 1.7- 1.8. We thanked the low ballers and declined their services and they both wrote us emails telling us we were 'ignorant' of the market and would 'NEVER' get 1.7.

The tone was rude, aggressive and unsolicited. It also smelled a lot like misogyny.

My DH wants to put them on blast, broadcast their emails, contact their brokers, slam them on the NVAR website, contact Richmond etc. I want them to suffer consequences too.

Have you ever gone scorched earth on realtors trying to take advantage of you?

If so, how?

That's all of them.

Realty is a job that's ripe to be taken by A.I. and deservedly so. Even as it is now, it's a "job" that doesn't even need to exist, as the internet allows anything realty related to be done for free or pennies.

In other words, F them all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s absolutely not the most sought after zip in the DMV.

Georgetown, Kalorama, Mass Heights, Kent in DC all have much higher median home prices and some of the most expensive homes in the area.

+1 and I wouldn’t even say it’s the most sought after zip in Northern VA. Most people I know wanted to land in 22207. We ended up in 22205, which we prefer over being further out in 22101.

And yes I know there are some exceptionally expensive homes in McLean that appeal to a particular demographic (and also relate to there being larger lot sizes making it possible to build these mansions). I’m sure there’d be $10M + homes in Arlington if 1 acre + lots existed to support those homes. But in general, I know way more people in their 30s/40s who sought North Arlington or FCC (22046) than McLean.

Same. McLean today is for professional athletes, wealthy first-gen Americans (Indians, Asians, middle easterners), etc. Whereas 10 years ago your Deloitte partners or big law lawyers were buying there, today they’re sticking to N Arlington or moco / NW DC.

Every area is for everyone, this is a silly conversation. There is literally no rule where big law or consulting partners or athletes or well to do immigrants prefer one specific area over the other. There is preference for lifestyle. People with money buy what they like because they can. Urban lifestyle, suburban lifestyle, or large secluded estate lifestyle, private schools or good publics, these are all choices people make not because of what they do for a living or where they are from, but what they prefer. There is demand for all the above as long as key elements are present: low crime and general safety, proximity to job centers and amenities, ease of getting around, etc. objective things most people like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That’s absolutely not the most sought after zip in the DMV.

Georgetown, Kalorama, Mass Heights, Kent in DC all have much higher median home prices and some of the most expensive homes in the area.

+1 and I wouldn’t even say it’s the most sought after zip in Northern VA. Most people I know wanted to land in 22207. We ended up in 22205, which we prefer over being further out in 22101.

And yes I know there are some exceptionally expensive homes in McLean that appeal to a particular demographic (and also relate to there being larger lot sizes making it possible to build these mansions). I’m sure there’d be $10M + homes in Arlington if 1 acre + lots existed to support those homes. But in general, I know way more people in their 30s/40s who sought North Arlington or FCC (22046) than McLean.

Same. McLean today is for professional athletes, wealthy first-gen Americans (Indians, Asians, middle easterners), etc. Whereas 10 years ago your Deloitte partners or big law lawyers were buying there, today they’re sticking to N Arlington or moco / NW DC.

Laughable
North Arlington is a crime ridden, dump inhabited by pompous AHs

[Anonymous]

this thread is about scummy realtors so let's stick with that.

One of the low life agent tried to take more commission out of me by adding some extra administrative fee of $750 + digital facilitation of $1000 and I asked her what that is and her response was for them to store digital files in the future. Really?

They also change the commission to 2.5% from 1.5% and I had to get it fixed. Never ever believe what they say. ask them details in writing and all the other charges. One of my friend looked at his ALTA statement from title company and her agent added $995 of miscellaneous fees. WTH