BIRMINGHAM, Mich. (WXYZ) — The Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors is putting out a warning to other real estate agents in the metro Detroit area after a man wanting to see a multimillion-dollar home was acting peculiar.
The realtor who was assisting the man later discovered that he had just .99 to his name. Although not illegal, the association is putting out a warning to other realtors in the area as a precaution.
The warning to realtors on the Multiple Listing Service states:
"A Realcomp REALTOR informed us today that she received a phone call from a man who was difficult to understand over the phone. He wanted to see a $4.9 million dollar home. She suggested that he meet her at her office to be pre-qualified before any showings were conducted. When he arrived at her office, he was wearing 3 coats and carrying a wet backpack. He presented her with papers that showed he had recently been released from prison after serving time for attempted murder and other violent offenses. Upon calling his bank with him to verify the funds he said he had, she learned he had a balance of 99 cents. Although he was not at all agitated during their visit, she recommended that he contact her again once he found funding for a home purchase."
Al Block, president of the Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors, says this is a good opportunity to educate people. The real estate agents take personal information like phone numbers not just to sell, but for safety reasons.
“We get some push back because these people think that we just want there information because we are trying to sell them quote on quote," Block said. "Many times it’s because it’s a protocol we go through, not only for personal safety but to protect the property."
