brokerage firm. The buyers’ extended family turned out for the home inspection. It was like a holiday open house. Later, the brokerage informed the agent that the proof-of-funds letter had a forged signature. The would-be buyers vanished, but the agent reported their extended family verbally abused her, the sellers, and the buyers’ agent. The agent now makes sure she verifies proof of funds and prequalification letters. Homes Not Researched In a transaction without the involvement of real estate agents, a woman purchased a rural home. She found out two years later, at the time she went to list the home, that it had once belonged to a person who was in jail for producing methamphetamine onsite! The revelation also obligated the homeowner to take the necessary steps of decontaminating the home and ensuring it was fit for resale, costing her a whopping $16,000 in the process. Pressure to Sell from Your Own Agent Homeowners were selling a starter home, circa late 1990s. They were asking $235,000. When they received a $226,000 offer with several buyer demands their agent prodded them into
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