Estate Agent Gallery

Rik Rushton - Director - Ranges First National Real Estate

Peter Mericka — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:32:06 GMT

Rik Rushton - Director - Ranges First National Real Estate

Rik Rushton - Director - Ranges First National Real Estate of Belgrave.

Jim Conder of Ranges First National Real Estate Belgrave

Peter Mericka — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:20:53 GMT

Jim Conder of Ranges First National Real Estate Belgrave

Jim Conder of Ranges First National Real Estate of Belgrave.

Geoff Thompson - Director of Barry Plant Real Estate Croydon

Peter Mericka — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:19:24 GMT

Geoff Thompson - Director of Barry Plant Real Estate Croydon

Geoff Thompson is the Director of Barry Plant Real Estate in Croydon Victoria, and the Barry Plant Real Estate tag line is "The red carpet experience". I felt that the red carpet had been pulled out from under me and my client when Geoff Thompson's sales representative Pauline Ferguson switched contracts without my knowledge and without any explanation.

Pauline Ferguson of Barry Plant Real Estate Croydon

Peter Mericka — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:13:28 GMT

Pauline Ferguson of Barry Plant Real Estate Croydon

Pauline Ferguson, switched the contract my firm had prepared, and replaced it with a simple "fill in the blanks" Contract Note. Neither Pauline Ferguson nor her boss, Geoff Thompson, made any attempt to discuss the matter with me (probably because they knew they would be told reminded that it is illegal for them to tamper with contracts), and secretly switched the contracts without my knowledge.

David Sowersby - Walshe & Whitelock Real Estate

Peter Mericka — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:03:14 GMT

David Sowersby - Walshe & Whitelock Real Estate

David Sowersby is the Director of Walshe & Whitelock Real Estate, Brunswick and an Associate of the Real Estate Institute of Australia. David Sowersby is also a "contract switcher". Some years ago I pounced on Sowersby for "switching" contracts, and thought he had changed his ways. Unfortunately, it seems that when you've been in the industry as long as Sowersby has, old habits die hard.

Barry Plant of Barry Plant Real Estate

Peter Mericka — Wed, 07 May 2008 02:42:23 GMT

Barry Plant of Barry Plant Real Estate

It would appear that Barry Plant Real Estate has adopted the tactic of having a "gazumping" clause inserted into real estate contracts. We again warn consumers against allowing estate agents to tamper with the contract.

A "gazumping" clause is a special condition which is inserted into a purchaser's offer by an estate agent. Effectively, it allows a latecomer to the sale to submit a "bid" to the vendor. If the latecomer's bid is on "more favourable terms" than those in the existing contract, the vendor can invite the purchaser to match the bid. If the purchaser fails to match the bid, the vendor can cancel the contract.

As with other private auction situations, it is possible for a contrived offer to be put to the purchaser, with a view to having the purchaser increase the price or alter the terms of the contract. Such conduct would probably constitute a criminal deception.

The first estate agent to adopt the "gazumping" clause was Ian Reid who became known for having his own Gazumping Clause and his Finance Clause inserted into purchasers' offers. We exposed the "Ian Reid Strategy" some time ago, but we have not seen it adopted by other estate agents until now.

I contacted Barry Plant to find out why Barry Plant Real Estate had resorted to the use of a "gazumping" clause.

Enzo Raimondo - CEO Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV)

Peter Mericka — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:02:28 GMT

Enzo Raimondo - CEO Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV)

There are few things more dangerous for real estate consumers than estate agents who fancy themselves as "wheelers and dealers". They are usually the ones who cause the wheels to fall off real estate transactions, usually because one party or the other feels that they have been let down. Enzo Raimondo not only acknowledges that estate agent's like to do a bit of "wheeling and dealing", he actually suggests that they are licensed to do so. It seems that silly old Enzo doesn't know the difference between taking licence and being licensed!

See "Beware of Enzo Raimondo's 'Wheelers & Dealers'"

Lee Fenech alias 'King Kilsyth' of Stockdale and Leggo Real Estate Croydon, Victoria

Peter Mericka — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 06:08:16 GMT

Lee Fenech alias 'King Kilsyth' of Stockdale and Leggo Real Estate Croydon, Victoria

Now we have the self-proclaimed "Kilsyth King" Lee Fenech of Stockdale & Leggo in Croydon, Victoria. The Stockdale & Leggo advert appeared on page 86 of the Maroondah Leader (11 March, 2008) under the heading "Kilsyth King", and asking, "So why entrust anyone other than the Kilsyth King to handle your real estate needs."

Perhaps the Stockdale & Leggo advertising gurus, having researched the demographics of the Kilsyth King's domain, concluded that monarchists are well represented in the area. Or maybe the older residents of the area were fans of the 1960's children's show "King Corky King of the Kids", and Lee Fenech is tapping into this niche market.

But when I look at this advertisement I do find it difficult to believe that the good folk of Kilsyth would entrust their most valuable asset to an estate agent whose tools of trade include a tiara, cape and sceptre.

Ian Reid - Director of Ian Reid Vendor Advocacy, Ian Reid Real Estate and WeHelpYouSell.com, Eltham, Victoria

Peter Mericka — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 00:12:59 GMT

Ian Reid - Director of Ian Reid Vendor Advocacy, Ian Reid Real Estate and WeHelpYouSell.com, Eltham, Victoria

Ian Reid is a very well-known estate agent in Melbourne, whose radio advertisements portray him as a friendly and personable fellow. But take a look at some of the special conditions he attempts to have inserted into purchaser's contracts!

See:

Ian Reid's "Gazumping Clause"

Ian Reid's "Finance Clause"

Martin Froese - Sales Rep of Phillip Webb Real Estate, Doncaster

Peter Mericka — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 00:04:03 GMT

Martin Froese - Sales Rep of Phillip Webb Real Estate, Doncaster

When estate agents can't or won't negotiate on behalf of their vendor clients we see the "Buyer Declaration" trotted out as a means of proving to the vendor that there is no point in trying to negotiate a better price. More...

Phillip Webb - Director of Phillip Webb Real Estate, Doncaster, Victoria

Peter Mericka — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 23:55:19 GMT

Phillip Webb - Director of Phillip Webb Real Estate, Doncaster, Victoria

Bruce Atinkson MLC and Honorary Estate Agent

Peter Mericka — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 10:07:22 GMT

Bruce Atinkson MLC and Honorary Estate Agent

Bruce Atkinson MLC - Political buffoon and real estate industry apologist. Bruce Atkinson is featured in the Estate Agent Gallery, not because he is an estate agent, but because he has established himself as the mouthpiece of the real estate industry. His ignorance of real estate law, real estate practice and consumer issues associated with real estate in the State of Victoria, qualify Bruce Atkinson MLC for admission into the Estate Agent Photo Gallery.

See:

REIV To Target Politicians

They're Talking About Us In Parliament

Victorian Liberal Party Ripped Off

The Honourable Member Must Be Joking!

Is The Honourable Member Listening?

Hon. B. N. ATKINSON (Koonung) – Please Check The Facts!

Shane Lowe - Director of Methven Professionals Real Estate, Mooroolbark, Victoria

Peter Mericka — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:47:56 GMT

Shane Lowe - Director of Methven Professionals Real Estate, Mooroolbark, Victoria

Shane Lowe is the Director of Methven Professionals Real Estate in Mooroolbark, Victoria. A case of "contract switching" resulted in some startling revelations from Mr. Lowe. It seems that Mr. Lowe and the great P.T. Barnum have much in common when it comes to business ethics. P.T. Barnum is credited with the saying, "Never give a sucker an even break and never wise up a chump". This advice is regularly observed in the real estate industry where estate agents often attempt to limit the chances of a purchaser backing out of a sale. More...

Paul Castran - Managing Director of Castran Gilbert Real Estate South Yarra, Victoria

Peter Mericka — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:45:59 GMT

Paul Castran - Managing Director of Castran Gilbert Real Estate South Yarra, Victoria

Journalist Peter Gregory The Age (Saturday 9 February, 2008) reports that Melbourne real estate agent Paul Castran, managing director of Castran GilbertReal Estate, and the company's sale director Mark Forytarz, annoyed by allegedly defamatory articles by consumer advocate Neil Jenman, are taking legal action against Google to stop internet access to the articles. More...

Mark Forytarz - Director of Castran Gilbert Real Estate, South Yarra, Victoria

Peter Mericka — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:33:05 GMT

Mark Forytarz - Director of Castran Gilbert Real Estate, South Yarra, Victoria

Guy St Leger - Director/Auctioneer - Biggin and Scott Real Estate, Prahran, Victoria

Peter Mericka — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:22:47 GMT

Guy St Leger - Director/Auctioneer - Biggin and Scott Real Estate, Prahran, Victoria

Consumers are starting to wake up! Finally the market has turned on an auctioneer, and refused to be manipulated. Although it was tucked away on page 5 of yesterday's Sunday Herald-Sun newspaper (Sunday Herald-Sun p.5 4 March, 2007), this small article, titled 'Auctioneer Booed', indicates that consumers are growing tired of the artificial manipulation of the the real estate market. More...

Cameron Fisher of Changing Places Real Estate - Melbourne, Victoria

Peter Mericka — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 02:17:51 GMT

Cameron Fisher of Changing Places Real Estate - Melbourne, Victoria

Cameron Fisher glitters with gold, from his shiny golden vest to the golden bracelet and golden cuff links dripping from his wrists (I think he even has a gold tooth). Cameron Fisher is a Melbourne estate agent, and according to his website, he is also a "super salesman", "energy personified", "expertise in motion", "an achiever who gives and gets more", "one of Victoria's youngest estate agency owners and directors", and "adviser to leading institutions, accountancy practices and law firms on real estate issues and trends". More...

David Falk of Falk Real Estate - Cobden, Victoria

Peter Mericka — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:28:04 GMT

David Falk of Falk Real Estate - Cobden, Victoria

Continuing our theme on estate agents and their control over the contract stage of the sale transaction, the following is an extreme example of the way estate agents are empowered by their access to the contract, and how some will use that power to the detriment of all parties involved. More...