Not paying real estate agent and my house deal is already done...?

Question

We had our house up for sale, had a deal on one house about to close which was based on our house being sold. At the last minute while we had buyers waiting to confirm financing for ours, the house we wanted slipped away to another more solid offer.

The same day but after the timing was expired we firmed up and had 2 wks to get out. We signed papers with our agent to get a change of date which he denied. So we had to scramble and get a lesser house and yard and move in when our mortgage broker was on holidays and was under the impression we were with the first house.

So the lawyers decided not to pay the real estate agents, and they closed the deal a month ago.

Now, if you're not confused and still with me (I hope!)

This real estate agent of ours really messed up a lot of things, even had asked for money for us to do a change of date, he's since been fired, I did most of the work (even told me secret passwords to real estate board websites so I could search for a house).

Answer 1

Wow, I definately do not track with this.

There are so many weird things here, it just doesn't make sense.  First, I'd report the Realtor to your local board of Realtors.

And since your attorney decided not to pay the Realtors, I'd ask him or her how you get out of this.

Answer 2

The real estate agent will and should loose their license.

I do not know if they are responsible for the house you wanted to purchase accepting a differant offer, I would think, no, they could not alter that.   However, giving you direct access to the MLS was seriously illegal, unethical and he is lucky he did not end up in prison if you had done anything with the information you had access to that is not public.

That said, you will still need to pay his broker for the sales transaction, it took place and closed, he needs to be paid.   Their was no obligation to change the close date, 2 weeks is a very long time.

Answer 3

If I'm following you correctly and the deals on the houses have closed with a lawyer and the lawyer didn't pay the commission from the proceeds at closing then the real estate agent will probably have to take you to court to try to get paid.  If that happens then it's up to you to prove to the judge or magistrate why you shouldn't have to pay the real estate agent.  If you want to get him in trouble then you could turn him in to the board of Realtors for giving out his passwords to let you access websites that aren't for the public.