Had a realtor tell me I couldn't legally ask....

[David T.]

I got response the other day from a letter sent out through my direct marketing campaign. The caller calls and explains he received one of my letters and wanted to know what I could offer him for his property. I was not at my office so I didn't have his property information handy. I explained this to him and pulled my ipad out to take information from him to so I can call him back with a price follow up. I get his address, name, and number and ask what he would like to sell it for? I then ask if he owes anything on it and if so is he current with payments. He goes onto tell me he is a licensed realtor and I cannot legally ask these kind of questions. Then went onto say he has my letter and is going to report me.

I just thought it was weird. He called me asking me what he could get for his property. He obiously wasn't a motivated seller. I just wanted to share. I am not under the impressions its illegal in Texas to ask questions from someone that calls you.

[Account Closed]

Check to see if the house is currently listed in the MLS. It could be that the owner received your letter and gave it to his realtor. The realtor might not be happy because he could perceive that you're trying to under cut his business. Just a wild guess.

[Michael Jobe]

I wouldn't sweat it too much. I agree with @Account Closed in that you should check to see if it's currently listed with a Realtor. Other than that, tell that guy not to threaten you with a good time & keep doing your thing!

[Andrew Syrios]

I don't think he knows what he's talking about, as long as you are the buyer of course you're allowed to ask what he is willing to sell it for.

[Account Closed]

Agree with the other posters - can't think of any law you would have broken here. I would have asked him if he's planning to go down to the police station and file a criminal complaint...

[Daren H.]

What is the Realtor going to report you for, trying to buy a property at a discount, ha ha ha? Tell the Realtor to beat it. You are free to ask the questions you presented, however, if the Realtor is the listing agent, he/she cannot answer those questions without the consent of the seller. Again, you are free to ask the questions you mentioned. I wouldn't waste any sleep over this (My response assumes you are not a licensed agent yourself).

You may have more grounds for a complaint than the Realtor has. You could almost say that the Realtor (assuming they are the listing agent) is not acting in the best interest of their client by dismissing a willing buyer.

[David T.]

@Account Closed

The house wasn't list on the MLS. A bird dog brought me the property he saw a for rent sign out and it was pretty distressed looking. I mailed the owner a letter who just so happened to be a realtor also. .

@Michael Jobe I knew nothing I did was wrong. I am not really sure why he called other then to try and get a rise out of me. I just thought it was funny.

@Daren H. No I am not a licensed realtor.

Thanks everyone for the replies. Who knows why people say the things they do.

[Karen Margrave]

@David T. I'm not familiar with the laws in Texas. However; in California you are not allowed to do anything for which a real estate license is required, that can be giving prices, talking any kind of terms on financing, etc.

If Texas is the same way, and you were speaking as a potential buyer, I don't see the harm.

If on the other hand, you are telling a potential buyer about a property you don't own and are not a legal representative in some way, you would in fact be acting as an agent, which in California would be illegal. If you are a party to an agreement giving you any type of ownership or authority to sell, then you should be in the clear to market. But, as with everything, check with your state Dept. of Real Estate for clarification.

[David T.]

@Karen Margrave I was acting as a buyer speaking with a seller.

[Scotty Hamill]

I swear you never know what some people will say or threaten to take action against you because you sent them a simple letter or postcard and asking simple questions. They really need to have some fun in their life or something, geeez...

[Karen Margrave]

@David T. That's what it seemed like to me, and in that case, I don't see any boundaries you crossed. Inquiring about property isn't a crime .... yet. :)

[Joel Owens]

You will hear a lot of inaccurate crap everyday in the business. I have met sellers that know much more than licensed agents and vice versa.

Just because you are a seller or broker or agent doesn't mean you know it all. You will run into all types today and for the rest of your career as an investor.

I don't give people like that another thought.