How to report a Shady Realtor

[Jordan L.]

For the past few months, I have been looking at some multi-units. I was interested in some but all the properties I was very interested in was listed by one particular shady realtor. I called the realtor to view the property and he suggested that it is for cash buyers only. I advise him this is not disclose in the ad, he goes into a long dialogue telling me he has many offers and wants cash buyers. Six months later properties are still on the market and all his ads are the same. I had several people call him and he does the same thing. I see him using the Bait and Switch tactic. What upsets me about this realtor is, he refuses to show me the property because I am not a cash buyer, the sad thing is I wonder if the seller knows he doing this. I just told him, if he does not update the ad in a week, I will report him. Its bad enough he is not selling the property and refuse to show me the property, but also lieing to get a higher return. I don't mind a realtor making commision but this is wrong. I am newbie and I want stand from shady antics from a realtor. So my questions is have you dealt with this and how do you report a realtor doing shady business? I am in Florida. Its not right to be treated this way for greed.

[Bryan L.]

First, get your own Realtor (preferably from another firm) to represent YOU. The listing agent represents the seller. It could be possible that the seller has instructed the listing agent to only show the property to cash buyers. If so, that is perfectly legit. If you still think that the agent is doing something shady, you could go speak to his broker. The next step after that would be the local board of Realtors (assuming that the agent is a Realtor). Another option is your state's Real Estate Commission.