I am interested in one of the listings and wanted to contact seller's agent via streeteasy. I clicked on the link " contact agent" and received an email with premiumagent extension.I did not reply because I know it was not direct response from the seller's agent-seller's agent was listed at the bottom of the page. I did the same thing again , using streeteasy link" contact agent"-and received an... [more]
I am interested in one of the listings and wanted to contact seller's agent via streeteasy. I clicked on the link " contact agent" and received an email with premiumagent extension.I did not reply because I know it was not direct response from the seller's agent-seller's agent was listed at the bottom of the page.
I did the same thing again , using streeteasy link" contact agent"-and received an other email " hi , love to set up your appointment. The unit is listed through our firm, and we've got a great relationship with the agent representing the seller-he can get us in any time that work for you", extension for this email was Zillow-mail.
Now its 18 hours since I am trying to contact seller's agent directly.
I went to the seller's agency website directly , found this listing , emailed the agent and boom- 5 min later I received an email to set up at appointment.
Is it legal?
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Response by walter_sobchak
about 8 years ago
Posts: 14
Member since: May 2016
yes
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Response by rdc10036
about 8 years ago
Posts: 47
Member since: Dec 2012
There are two tabs "Learn More" and "Seller's Agent Info", if you click on "Seller's Agent Info" (rather than clicking on "Send Message") you should be able get their info to contact the listing agent directly.
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Response by jaky
about 8 years ago
Posts: 48
Member since: Jul 2011
You aren't required to use the agent who contacted you through StreetEasy. There is nothing illegal about what you've done.
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Response by front_porch
about 8 years ago
Posts: 5315
Member since: Mar 2008
The question as I read it was "is it legal for this agent who's not the seller's agent to show up as if they are?"
This is part of the battle that my trade association, REBNY, is having with StreetEasy... obviously StreetEasy is a business and needs to make money, but OTOH it should be clear to the consumer who is marketing a property, and advertising in general should be clear and transparent.
I don't think we've had a Department of State ruling on this yet ... but the Department (which licenses real estate brokers and oversees real estate activity) generally tends to come down in favor of what's best for the consumer. What's interesting in the situation that Muromec outlined is that there are two consumers who might have opposing interests: a situation that might be good for the buyer (being able to reach more than one agent, presumably agents who have shown a high level of interest in the deal by buying the advertising positions, by pressing a button) might not be good for the seller (having the first people who answer questions about their property be random agents who have simply bought the Internet presence, rather than being the person who seller hired, presumably on the grounds of expertise or salesmanship or some other qualification.)
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Response by 300_mercer
about 8 years ago
Posts: 10553
Member since: Feb 2007
Ali, Streeteasy obfuscation is neither good for the buyer or the seller. Streeteasy has a right to make money but honestly as they are by charging for the rental listing.
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Response by muromec
about 8 years ago
Posts: 323
Member since: Oct 2009
I think it's illegal and can be punishable for misleading and false representation.
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Response by muromec
about 8 years ago
Posts: 323
Member since: Oct 2009
I think it's illegal and can be punishable for misleading and false representation.
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Response by 300_mercer
about 8 years ago
Posts: 10553
Member since: Feb 2007
muro, Streeteasy has a tab "seller's agent information" clearly displayed under contact agent. Why would not you click on that? That is why I think it is not illegal - just has a potential to mislead the consumer.
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Response by Aaron2
about 8 years ago
Posts: 1695
Member since: Mar 2012
If you can show you've been harmed by the misleading and false information, you should contact a lawyer and bring suit. Or contact a lawyer and perhaps bring a class action.
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yes
There are two tabs "Learn More" and "Seller's Agent Info", if you click on "Seller's Agent Info" (rather than clicking on "Send Message") you should be able get their info to contact the listing agent directly.
You aren't required to use the agent who contacted you through StreetEasy. There is nothing illegal about what you've done.
The question as I read it was "is it legal for this agent who's not the seller's agent to show up as if they are?"
This is part of the battle that my trade association, REBNY, is having with StreetEasy... obviously StreetEasy is a business and needs to make money, but OTOH it should be clear to the consumer who is marketing a property, and advertising in general should be clear and transparent.
I don't think we've had a Department of State ruling on this yet ... but the Department (which licenses real estate brokers and oversees real estate activity) generally tends to come down in favor of what's best for the consumer. What's interesting in the situation that Muromec outlined is that there are two consumers who might have opposing interests: a situation that might be good for the buyer (being able to reach more than one agent, presumably agents who have shown a high level of interest in the deal by buying the advertising positions, by pressing a button) might not be good for the seller (having the first people who answer questions about their property be random agents who have simply bought the Internet presence, rather than being the person who seller hired, presumably on the grounds of expertise or salesmanship or some other qualification.)
Ali, Streeteasy obfuscation is neither good for the buyer or the seller. Streeteasy has a right to make money but honestly as they are by charging for the rental listing.
I think it's illegal and can be punishable for misleading and false representation.
I think it's illegal and can be punishable for misleading and false representation.
muro, Streeteasy has a tab "seller's agent information" clearly displayed under contact agent. Why would not you click on that? That is why I think it is not illegal - just has a potential to mislead the consumer.
If you can show you've been harmed by the misleading and false information, you should contact a lawyer and bring suit. Or contact a lawyer and perhaps bring a class action.