Joan Imperato, Remax Realtors house selling ripoff Kingwood Texas
Joan had sold us this house 7 years ago so I used her again. I trusted her. Big mistake. She badgered me into listing too low, claiming the market was terrible because of the economy. I told her how much I would have to list it to just break even and she insisted on listing it at $30,000 below that.
What I didn't know, was that she already had a buyer and got me to list it in his price range. The day after I signed the contract with her, she had a bid from this guy. I was about to board a ship and was on my cell phone and she got me to agree to a low price and I said "okay, but that's AS IS. I don't want to hear about loose gutters or sticky doors". She agreed, and by the time I got back in town 5 days later she had a contract signed by the buyer. I was kicking myself as I signed the contract the next day.
When the inspection report came back with what she claimed was $6200 in repairs I again told her the deal was AS IS. She would hear none of it and kept calling me, asking me what was I going to do about the repairs. We went round like that for a week. In the end I pitched in $2000. Her commission was $20,000!!! For a house that really never even made it on the market.
I guess I was especially vulnerable because my husband died suddenly in January and I needed badly to sell this house and she knew it. I am embarrassed that I got so taken advantage of. I can't figure out who or what organization to call to complain, but I think what she did could be illegal. I know it was unethical. Even the other realtors were complaining that they never got to show the house.
I've got three kids to raise and I don't have the strength to file a lawsuit, and they are expensive anyway.
Cheryl
kingwood, Texas
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Anonymous
Kingwood,Texas,
U.S.A.
Joan Imperato is a Good real estate agent Kingwood Texas
#4Consumer Comment
Fri, February 06, 2009
I have used Joan Imperato as my agent as well as many of my friends and all have thought she did a very professional job representing her client. She is one of the top real estate agents in Texas.
She is knowledgeable and negotiates hard for the client. She did an excellent job for us and many of our friends.
I would not hesitate to use her again for my real estate services or recommend her to my friends.
Bobby
Kingwood, Texas
Edward
Houston,Texas,
U.S.A.
file a complaint against this realtor with the Texas Real Estate Commission TREC in Austin
#4Consumer Suggestion
Tue, November 18, 2003
You can file a complaint against this realtor with the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) in Austin using this link http://www.trec.state.tx.us/Complaints/Complaint_instructions.asp.
Their phone number is listed on the site as well.
In Texas, a realtor is required to represent the best interests of the seller if they are representing the seller, which they are if they are the one who listed your home for sale. If they are going to represent the seller AND the buyer on a single transaction, they should have informed you and asked for your permission to do so.
If they didnt receive your permission, they are guilty of practicing "dual agency" and you may have legal recourse against them.
If you dont find satisfaction with TREC, you can always hire a lawyer. If you file suit against the realtor under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DPA), you may be able to recover treble damages.
I am not a lawyer and do not know one to recommend but you can probably call the Houston Bar Association and ask them for a referral to a Real Estate lawyer.
Good luck !
Mike
Radford,Virginia,
U.S.A.
You were in control all along. ..you have no obligation to sell
#4Consumer Suggestion
Fri, October 10, 2003
It was always your house. Until you sign a sales contract, you have no obligation to sell the house for the listing price, or for any price. The only thing that you were obligated to was that *if* you sell the house, Joan gets her commission.
If you get one or more offers for full price the day after you list it, chances are good you're in a position to ask for more. So do it. An offer is just an offer. It's not binding on you until you sign it. If the buyer really wants the house he'll pay more.
The buyer's insistence that you pay for repairs was a perfect way out of the deal. But you caved on that one too. Should have told them in no uncertain terms that "I will not pay for repairs, you buy the house AS IT IS or we tear up the contract."