Couple Touring Home Find Woman's Body

[snopes]

One real estate agent will likely do a house check before letting her prospective customers tour on their own from now on, after a couple happened upon a homeowner dead in bed.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070502/D8OS06MG5.html

[Richard W]

At first I was wondering how the house got on the market without anybody noticing that the owner was still lying dead in the bedroom, but I guess that the owner herself must have put it up for sale and then died. So these people could have been the first to enter the house since she died.

Still, isn't it usual to ring ahead to the homeowner to make sure it's convenient to show the house, if it's still occupied? That's how it works here.

[bjohn13]

Originally Posted by Richard W

At first I was wondering how the house got on the market without anybody noticing that the owner was still lying dead in the bedroom, but I guess that the owner herself must have put it up for sale and then died. So these people could have been the first to enter the house since she died.

Still, isn't it usual to ring ahead to the homeowner to make sure it's convenient to show the house, if it's still occupied? That's how it works here.

But of course, if no one answers the phone on the call ahead, the realter is still obligated to show the home anyway.

With a little wallpaper, a little carpet work. that room will be fine...

[llewtrah]

Originally Posted by bjohn13

But of course, if no one answers the phone on the call ahead, the realter is still obligated to show the home anyway.

Over here that isn't the case which is why Brits like Richard W and myself were perplexed. Most vendors here don't give keys to estate agents and even when they do, the estate agent isn't obliged to show people round (but since he earns commission on sales he will rarely refuse). An additional good reason there is no obligation to show people round is the Suzy Lamplugh case where an estate agent vanished (presumed abducted) while showing someone around a property.

[TrishDaDish]

After entering the home, she noticed a faint odor but thought it was from the mess in the house or the countertop full of dishes. She saw unopened mail.

"I've smelled death. I know what death smells like," she said. "I can't believe my sinuses were that bad."

Is anyone else concerned that the real estate agent seems well versed in what the smell of death is like?!

Trish "Helter Shelter" DaDish

[Lainie]

Originally Posted by Richard W

Still, isn't it usual to ring ahead to the homeowner to make sure it's convenient to show the house, if it's still occupied? That's how it works here.

Originally Posted by llewtrah

Over here that isn't the case which is why Brits like Richard W and myself were perplexed. Most vendors here don't give keys to estate agents and even when they do, the estate agent isn't obliged to show people round (but since he earns commission on sales he will rarely refuse). An additional good reason there is no obligation to show people round is the Suzy Lamplugh case where an estate agent vanished (presumed abducted) while showing someone around a property.

Most realtors here prefer to show homes while the owners are not home. The reason my realtors have given is that the presence of the owner inhibits the conversation about the house between the realtor and the prospective buyer.

Generally, the realtor is supposed to call and tell you they're coming, but if you don't answer, they might leave a message and come on over, then call out as they open the door. If they get no answer then, they'd probably come in.

Keys to the home are kept in a keybox on or near the front door. Licensed realtors in a given area have a code or a special device that opens the keybox and pops the key open. After they show the house, they return the key to the keybox.

Re: the Suzy Lamplugh case, IIRC, there have been similar incidents here. Realtors, especially women, are taught to take certain safety precautions about meeting clients in houses.

[Lainie]

Originally Posted by TrishDaDish

Is anyone else concerned that the real estate agent seems well versed in what the smell of death is like?!

Trish "Helter Shelter" DaDish

Not me, but that's because I've smelled death, too. You might be surprised how many people have.

[queen of the caramels]

Originally Posted by llewtrah

Over here that isn't the case which is why Brits like Richard W and myself were perplexed. Most vendors here don't give keys to estate agents and even when they do, the estate agent isn't obliged to show people round (but since he earns commission on sales he will rarely refuse). An additional good reason there is no obligation to show people round is the Suzy Lamplugh case where an estate agent vanished (presumed abducted) while showing someone around a property.

When we sold our house in 2000, I insisted that there was an estate agent present everytime. This was due to me being alone with a 2 yr old.

[Lainie]

In the US, in my experience, the only situation in which a prospective buyer would tour a house without an agent is an open house, and the residents typically aren't home for those, either. If an agent was concerned about being alone at an open house, I imagine s/he would arrange to have someone else there (another agent, an assistant, a family member).

[llewtrah]

Originally Posted by Lainie

Most realtors here prefer to show homes while the owners are not home. The reason my realtors have given is that the presence of the owner inhibits the conversation about the house between the realtor and the prospective buyer.

Again that's the opposite to what happens here. Prospective buyers like to speak to the vendors (rather than the estate agents as agents usually know only what is on the particulars - about 2 sides of info inclusive of photo) and discuss the house with them e.g. an alterations made to the structure, what fixtures and fittings will remain.

[Lainie]

Originally Posted by llewtrah

Again that's the opposite to what happens here. Prospective buyers like to speak to the vendors (rather than the estate agents as agents usually know only what is on the particulars - about 2 sides of info inclusive of photo) and discuss the house with them e.g. an alterations made to the structure, what fixtures and fittings will remain.

Here, those kinds of details would generally be worked out between the seller's agent and the buyer or the buyer's agent. The only time it would be worked out directly between buyer and seller is when neither is working with an agent. Most sellers here work with agents, and it's more and more common for buyers to use agents.

Realtors (agents) here also write offers, negotiate prices and terms, and coordinate property inspections, title searches and closings on behalf of their clients. Some offer relocation services or concierge services for new homeowners.

[llewtrah]

Originally Posted by Lainie

Realtors (agents) here also write offers, negotiate prices and terms, and coordinate property inspections, title searches and closings on behalf of their clients. Some offer relocation services or concierge services for new homeowners.

Estate agents negotiate the offers between the parties, usually trying to drive the price up in order to get higher commission (which is a %age of the final sale price). Title searches and contracts (closings?) and final details of what fixtures are included are handled by the solicitors acting for each party. The inspection might be handled by the building society (mutual society) offering the mortgage. Three different parties dealing with one sale, not including the vendor/buyer.

There is a move towards the vendor creating a sale pack that includes a survey/inspection report and is paid for by the vendor before the house goes on the market.

I worked in estate agency for 18 months (something I rarely admit) after leaving college and it was a low-skilled job requiring no qualifications (I was unusual in that I'd studied law at college and knew quite a bit about property law). Negotiators were in their early 20s and it was seen as a job to do until you found something better (as in my case), not a career. Some were simply funding college studies, but most were funding an after work drinking/clubbing habit. The career ladder seemed to be: print room boy/typing pool girl ----> negotiator -----> leave estate agent to find real job

Some estate agencies now have in-house legal departments, but in general there is a clear divide between estate agents (negotiators/salesmen only) and solicitors (searches).

Note: The above is from personal experience post-college during the 1980s property boom when the estate agents were one of the most despised professions after lawyers and loan sharks.

[Lainie]

In the US, you have to pass a licensing test to be a realtor. Without a license, you can work in a real estate agency, but probably only in a clerical capacity. Some agencies hire only licensed agents for their assistant positions, which don't even involve actual sales. Before taking the licensing test, realtors typically complete a training program with an established real estate agency, or may take courses in real estate at a trade school, community college or university.

Realtor is a popular career for midlife career-changers and people re-entering the workforce. It's also a common second job for teachers, who may go into real estate full-time when they retire from teaching.

To clarify, inspections are done by inspection companies, title searches and closings are done by title companies, and the required appraisal is done by an appraiser. The realtor coordinates all these efforts and the financing, so you're talking about maybe half a dozen parties to a single sale.

Agents representing the seller get a commission. If they buyer has hir own agent (which I had for both purchases, and which I recommend), that agent splits the selling agent's commission but also gets paid a sort of bonus for negotiating a lower price.

[queen of the caramels]

Originally Posted by llewtrah

Estate agents negotiate the offers between the parties, usually trying to drive the price up in order to get higher commission (which is a %age of the final sale price).

I managed to negoiate a fixed fee price with my agency. Bascially it was a company move and I was told what they would cover for house selling fees any shortfall would be piad by us.

I was lucky in having an attractive house in a desired area and it sold to the first people who visited.

[Tootsie Plunkette]

Originally Posted by TrishDaDish

Is anyone else concerned that the real estate agent seems well versed in what the smell of death is like?!

My impression was that she meant she knows the 'smell of death' now - after this incident.

[songs78]

Originally Posted by Lainie

In the US, you have to pass a licensing test to be a realtor. Without a license, you can work in a real estate agency, but probably only in a clerical capacity. Some agencies hire only licensed agents for their assistant positions, which don't even involve actual sales. Before taking the licensing test, realtors typically complete a training program with an established real estate agency, or may take courses in real estate at a trade school, community college or university.

A Realtor is actually a trademarked name for real estate agents. You become a realtor by joining the National Association of Realtors.

Realtor®
A federally registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

The licensing test is for real estate agents and real estate brokers.

Real estate agents usually are independent sales workers who provide their services to a licensed real estate broker on a contract basis. In return, the broker pays the agent a portion of the commission earned from the agent’s sale of the property. Brokers are independent businesspeople who sell real estate owned by others; they also may rent or manage properties for a fee.

[Lainie]

Originally Posted by Tootsie Plunkette

My impression was that she meant she knows the 'smell of death' now - after this incident.

When I had the misfortune to smell it, I didn't know what it was. I just knew it smelled bad. If (DOYC forbid) I should ever smell it again, I'd recognize it.

[quote=songs78;160060]A Realtor is actually a trademarked name for real estate agents. You become a realtor by joining the National Association of Realtors. [quote]

I stand corrected.