What to do when swindled?

My previous posts may sound just a bunch of rants regarding how evil our age has become.  I just want our new real estate brokers to be aware that swindlers exist and they should really choose the people they transact with.  Some might ask: “Why didn’t I file a case against that licensed real estate broker?”  This post will answer just that.

Being a Christian means usually going against the norm.  Listen to what the Bible says about revenge:

“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.’  But I say, do not resist an evil person!  If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.  If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.”  – Matthew 5:38-40

“Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.  Don’t repay evil for evil.  Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you.  Instead, pay them back with a blessing.  That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.” – 1 Peter 3:9

Loving a real estate broker who turned out to be a swindler is difficult.  But, wholeheartedly, that is the right and peaceful thing to do.  If someone wronged you, pray and ask if you yourself did anything wrong to deserve it.  Then, pray and give grace to the person who dishonored your profession’s code of ethics.

 ”If you want to enjoy life

And see many happy days,

Keep your tongue from speaking evil

And your lips from telling lies.

Turn away from evil and do good.

Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,

And His ears are open to their prayers.

But the Lord turns his face

Against those who do evil.” – 1 Peter 3:10

This is an encouragement and I do hope you learned from my mistake.  God bless you.

 

Jonas Montemayor

Real Estate Broker

PRC License #:0007396

 

503-8070 / 0905-311-0120

RealtyByJM@gmail.com

www.RealtyByJM.wordpress.com

 

Affiliated with: Philippine Association of Real Estate Boards

Filed under: Christianity, Real Estate Lesson, Spirituality, Jonas Montemayor, Philippine Association of Real Estate Boards

When was the last time you’ve been swindled? (last part)

Being swindled, regardless of the amount of moolah, was never or will ever be a great experience.  I know, I know.  I should’ve listened to my mentors.  I’d like to think, however, that I am a better real estate broker because of the experience.  Kinda like being an automobile driver.  You really can’t say you’re a better driver unless you have your first bump.  To those who never made the mistake, good for you.  Maybe I’m just terrible at following instructions.

If you have been reading my previous posts, it is not difficult to pin point when the mistake occurred.  It was a mistake from the start.  Not identifying from the start who I was dealing with was just foolish.  I assumed I was dealing with the owner.  I should’ve known better.  It’s a simple question to ask: “Are you the owner?”  Would’ve sufficed.

Also, I assumed that the building is so old that no one, including me, will opt to live in that unit.  Wrong!  “Never judge others”, Mathew once said (http://www.gospel.com/bookmarks/Judge-Bible-Matthew-7-1-5/8699).  In our profession, it is not our lot to say if they’ll like a property or not.  It is our duty to just present what we have and pray that they like it.  No buts.  I should’ve just known my role and shut my mouth and ended the negative thought.

So, NEVER ASSUME!

At first, I was so angry with that old licensed broker.  I really wanted to destroy her ’20 year’ career.  But, I don’t see any good in doing it.  I pity her because she may really need the money and decided to swindle a newbie like me.  It was my first ‘burn’ in the profession and I hope it won’t happen again after paying for tuition.

What’s your story?  When was the last time you’ve been swindled?

Jonas Montemayor

Real Estate Broker

PRC License #: 0007396

503-8070 / 0905-311-0120

RealtyByJM@gmail.com

http://www.RealtyByJM.wordpress.com

Filed under: Real Estate Broker, Real Estate Lesson, Business, condominium, Real Estate, Real Estate Broker, Real estate broker/agent, Realty, Realty Lesson, Swindle

When was the last time you’ve been swindled? (part 2)

So, Saturday came and I have no idea who will represent me to show the said property.  Like I said in the previous post, I thought negatively about this listing and calculated a slim chance of a close.  Since this is so, I called the person who I thought was the owner.  Told her I won’t be able to make it because of an engagement, sent her an sms of my prospects number and apologized for the sudden change of plan.  I think this has become my bad habit for it wasn’t the first time I did this.

I also informed the prospect I won’t be meeting with her and explained everything.  She did not mind and it was a big relief for me.  After this, I totally forgot about the said transaction and enjoyed my weekend as usual.  Then Monday came and I remembered that there was a viewing last Saturday.  Got curious and phoned the prospect.  Apparently, she and her fiance’ liked it.  They planned to move in at the end of the week.

Since they liked it, I sent an sms to the supposedly unit owner.  I told her that there’s good news and the prospect liked the unit.  She replied: “but, I’m doing all the work” and accused me of not doing my job as the selling broker.  (This is where I realized I was also talking to a broker and not the unit owner).  Of course I told her that if she was a broker, she shouldn’t be directly getting in touch with my client without my consent.  Total violation of our code of ethics.

To cut the long story short, she never intended to give my share and I never got a piece of that pie.

I’ll continue this with what I think went wrong and the lessons I’ve learned in this transaction…

Jonas Montemayor

Real Estate Broker

PRC License #: 0007396

503-8070 / 0905-311-0120

RealtyByJM@gmail.com

www.RealtyByJM.wordpress.com

Affiliation:

Philippine Association of Real Estate Boards

Filed under: Leasing, Personal Development, Real Estate Broker, Real Estate Lesson, Philippine Association of Real Estate Boards, Real Estate, Real estate broker/agent

When was the last time you’ve been swindled? (part one)

For me, the answer to this question is recently.

Here’s the story:

Some time last week, around 10 a.m., I got a phone call from a person who I assumed to be a unit owner.  She told me about a condo unit in Ortigas Center that has been vacant for a long time.  Then, she asked if I have client looking for that kind of unit.  I told her, I’ll keep the information in mind for I don’t have a client for her at the moment.  So, we hung the phone.  Said to myself that the unit was in an old building and chances are, it was no good.

Surprisingly, after two hours, a client called and was looking for a condo unit in Ortigas Center.  It was an perfect match with the unit above.  So, I called the ‘unit owner’ and arranged a viewing of the unit.  The viewing was set on a Saturday afternoon.

Saturday afternoon came and I have a dilemma.  Problem was I cannot be at the viewing for I have to be somewhere with my wife.  I tried to call my cousin asking her to represent me and show the unit.  She was not available at the time so I had to look for an alternative.  I began to rationalize and said to myself: “Chances are, my client will not like the unit for it was in an old building with dark halls… I wouldn’t live in that condo so, why would others live in it?”

To be continued…

Jonas Montemayor

Real Estate Broker

PRC License #: 0007396

503-8070 / 0905-311-0120

RealtyByJM@gmail.com

www.RealtyByJM.wordpress.com

Affiliation:

Philippine Association of Real Estate Boards

Filed under: Real Estate Broker, Real Estate Lesson, Client (computing), condominium, Metro manila, ortigas center, Real Estate, Real Estate Broker, Realty Lesson, Renting, Viewing