Home Buyers Beware Agents Be Appropriate

I had a startling conversation today with a new client. Although I do not have a written commitment from them, they have assured me that they are working only with me and that they have no reason to go to anyone else.

These new clients are great. We're not old friends, we met at an open house. I love open houses! I meet great people and neighbors and basically just stay in the loop.

I am taking my client around to look at homes today when she tells me of a colleague of mine whom she met at an open house. He asked her to sign in and give her name and email. When she did, she used the name she regularly goes by, but not her legal first name. She also told him that she was not looking for an agent and that they were working with someone else. What happened next is beyond strange.

The following Monday she receives an email from my colleague Mr. Toupe. He says "Hi Kristy and Ralph" and goes on to offer his services as an agent. She never told him her name and wonders how he knows this. She responds to his email with a cute comment like "Gee, you already did a background check and found me on Google :-)" (Smily face included) He never responds.

Okay. I know we're all hungry and trying to gain new clients, but this goes too far. First of all, they did NOT want you to contact them. Be respectful and DO NOT CONTACT THEM! Second, don't do a creepy thing like googling people and then writing them emails with information you shouldn't know. Ew.

People have some respect. For the customers and for yourself and for the rest of us.