Real Estate Agent Asks for Check to be Made Out Directly to Her

[Chloey M.]

Hi you guys,

Wanted to run something by you....

I had a close friend who recently found a home he wanted to rent, (as a tenant) and something the real estate agent representing the property did that raised my eyebrows, but I want to see if I'm not thinking too hard about it.

He met the real estate agent at the property a few days ago, did a walk-through, and when it came time to make the deposit and first month's rent, she asked that he make the check out directly to her, since she is also managing the property.

My ears perked up because she didn't ask him to make the check out out to her property management business, but to her first and last name alone.  My scam alert goes off for obvious reasons, but I checked her out and she is a legit agent under Keller Williams, and her name and face is plastered on all the listings for this particular property. I would think that's a lot of boldness to put yourself all the way out there like that, and risk getting caught and identified.

Is this normal practice, and am I right to think she may be running a scam?

[Brad Larsen]

The most dangerous animal in the world is the Realtor acting as a Property Manager.  We see it time and time again where a lone wolf Realtor under a big box brokerage goes rogue and sees “leasing” as the easy money.  They list the home for rent, screen applicants with their spidey sense (no legit app procedures) and collect rent on behalf of the owner.   A poster above was right, this needs to be brought to the broker’s attention as that Realtor is 1) Not allowed to do that 2) Does not care or 3) Is outside of her realm.  

It brings up a giant debate point I should start another thread on.....should there be a license for Property Managers outside of a regular real estate license?  Should one off Realtors like this be allowed to perform leasing activities - collect deposits and rents - and advise their clients on such an ongoing sticky matter?  The pitfalls, potential mistakes, complaints, and poor fiduciary actions put the PM business in a bad light because we are not allowed to police our own.   Touching on more than you wanted....

Bottom line - contact the broker / office manager there and have them indicate that writing a check to the Realtor sounds a bit unusual.  Chances are they will correct that Realtor and confirm the other parts are true and legit.