A couple of months ago I was contacted by a guy out of our area who was building new construction in a subdivision in our area. He wanted us to market his new construction. He walked us through his website, how it worked interactively to show the various model elevations, etc., and it was very nicely done. Sent us brochures.

We agreed to meet him at the site, and we did. Went through a whole tour for well over an hour. Talked about commissions, he offered us 4%. We talked marketing strategies for a couple of hours. We wanted to list the properties, or at least get a FSBUS agreement executed. He asked us to come up with a marketing plan for him on our website. The site is fortunate to rank #1 on all SEs... It would be fantastic exposure for him.

A few days after the meeting he emailed us to say that he already had "obligations" on the listing side-- didn't say who or what, but still wanted us to market his properties nonetheless. We told him that since he had representation, we could no longer talk with him, ethics, etc., good luck, yada-yada.

He contacted us again today, told us he was willing to "work" with us on any clients we'd bring, etc. I emailed him back asking if his listing broker status had changed-- was he free to make deals with other brokers, etc., it bounced. I looked him up on the net to find his website email address as an alternative, and in the process, guess what? I see that he's an agent in our local Association! I check the Dept of RE, and sure enough, he's been an agent for nearly two years in our Association, but working out of his home in his distant area. But, an agent for a local broker.

My husband says, "Just kick him to the curb, he's a scammer-- forget about it." I am disinclined and would prefer to report his behavior. And so I put this before you all. Is there something that I'm missing here? Is there some situational rule that allows licensed agents NOT to disclose their status and to make deals outside their broker? Some rule that lets an agent pick the brains of other agents for marketing tips, especially when he is not at ALL familiar with the market he's inquiring about? To advertise properties for sale to the public without disclosing?

It appears he became an agent for this broker at a time when this broker had made a deal with the subdivision developer to market all the properties in the sub. That deal has subsequently fallen through-- but that makes no difference I'd think. All thoughts and comments are very welcome. TIA.

Is his liscense active or inactive,are there other complaints on him filed with re commission,is he a Realtor or just a liscensed agent?

Personally I would let this go and move on.The time you waste you could be closing more deals and eventually whatever he is doing will catch up to him all on his own and when it does it will be a pretty big hole he will fall into.

Here is one story about disclosure.
http://realtytimes.com/rtapages/20051230_disclosure.htm

did his failure to disclose to you that he was licensed harm you in any way?

I'd let it go and move on. Idiots with bad business practices typically will slit their own throats.

Spread the word around about this developer/back stabber/agent. This is not the way to start up a new community and it will probably cost him.

Spread the word around about this developer/back stabber/agent. This is not the way to sell new construction in a slow market and it will probably cost him.

Y'all are probably right. I have to mature out of the desire to right every wrong, fix every injustice, punish every villain.

The subdivision is tanking anyway and taking this guy with it big time.

Tks!