Dear Mr. Lawyer,
As you can tell by now is that I'm not that impressed with your skills in the real estate field. You cost our cleint money, you were unprepared and unknowledgeable in the field you were practicing in. I have dealt with lots of attorneys that were good and knew what they were doing.
You my friend scared the poor client. You made her nervous. Your job as an attorney is too protect her and make her feel comfortable. Not scare her.
Lastly I have to complain about your negotiating skills. Unfortunately you don't know anything about banks and foreclosures. They are in the drivers seat. You wait for them to sign and you have to sign their addendums as is. No crossing out their paragraphs.
Now let's go over our deal. Our client had the cash money, wanted the house. Yet you wanted to argue about the amount of deposit. What are you nuts? Why? The bank wanted 3% down when we were going to close in a week. We had an inspection clause to protect us in case the house had defects our client didn't like. Why argue about something that is not important. Our client had the cash available and was paying cash for the house.
Unfortunately you dragged your feet throughout this process. I listened to you and did what you said because you were the clients representative. Though I did tell the client I would strangle you if you were around one day. You had driven me over the edge with your antics.
I got this deal done even with all you did to stop the process or kill the deal. Stick to the criminal defense system other wise some lawyer may strangle you yet. Then they'll need a criminal defense lawyer. leave real estate to attorneys that practice it more often. It's not your forte... take my word for it.
Sincerely,
Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate specialist
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My Month of December quote:
~ Mark Twain”
Russ Ravary
"helping make your move easier"
your local Metro Detroit Realtor helping clients like you sell and buy homes through out the entire Metro Detroit suburbs. I love showing and selling Oakland County and Livingston County Lake front homes too.
Russ,
I love it.
I have been in your shoes sooo many times! Frustrating is an understatement!
Russ, some attorneys should not venture into areas they have no specialized knowledge in.You tell them.
Russ if he did not have anything to complain about or scare the client with how could he charge those high hourly fees to pay for his own home. He is doing his best to help the real estate industry, by getting his mortgage paid.
If there is one lawyer in a town he will make a good living. If there are two they will both make a fortune.
I am of the opinion that the states of MD and VA have the right idea. Agents/brokers manage the transactions. We know how the dang system works.
I'll never forget a closing where the buyer insisted on bringing and attorney to the closing. Since the builder had installed carpeting on the second level one shade off, they agreed to credit my buyers $5,000, although the buyers loved the carpet. I just negotiated what I could and everyone was happy.
The attorney inserted himself in the matter and decided to ask for an additional $1,000 or the buyers would sue. WHAT?? I thought he had lost his mind. My buyers told him that they were satisfied and we closed.
GEEZ. When things are going along fine, we do not need attorneys who were not involved throughout the process to come in at the last minute and try to justify their fee with nonsense.
Lawyers are famous for killing deals.
When I sold RE in the mid 90's in NY people always tried to hire their relative as their attorney yet had no experience in the RE industry ...same result...a criminal attorney trying to kill the deal. Hey it's up to the client but they'll have to learn the hard way. Just like I always say..if you have a problem with your eyes...you don't use a brain surgeon. I would file a complaint with the state Bar or have your client do it. Maybe they would get reprimanded but they might just try to negotiate that too:)
Ouch, this story just drudged up a bunch of animosity I have against attorneys in general. My experience was with a civil suite, which I had to learn the game from the hard expensive way. In fact, I think I will post a blog tomorrow morning telling my story and what I think everyone should know from it. If I can save one person from going through the pain and anguish I had to experience and learn from, then sharing is worth it! I am so sorry for your experience. Attorneys are out for one thing and one thing only....... which is that hourly fee. They will charge it just for the luxury of their own education.
Signed, Jaded in TX
Makes me thankful we don't have attorneys involved in our deals here on the West Coast (I know Washington, Oregon and California don't use attorneys either and it might be other western states as well).
You are such a nice person Russ, kinda surprised that you have so much angst now! Well, thankfully we have our beloved A/R to vent these things out!!
Congrats on your CLOSED deal!!
The real problem is that real estate agents and attorneys have two different goals. The real estate agent's goal is that the deal closes and their client is happy with the outcome; The attorney's goal is to win by having the best/most convincing argument based on law and precedent.
Always remember in real estate, if the attorneys are getting involved (whether it be in a lawsuit, the negotiating of a deal, or anything else other than review of and advice on a contract for the client), you have already lost.
I could write a letter like this myself. New York attorneys want to re argue Roe V Wade in a purchase sometimes. One attorney yesterday brought up the idea of killing a deal after it took us 9 months to get a buyer to sign a contract, and the issue was easily solved. Some of these people have no idea what they are doing.
Though we are obligated to inform a client that they have the right to an attorney to review a contract and be at closing, I always tell a client that if they choose that route; be sure it is a real estate attorney! An attorney who has a clue as to what they are reading!
And yes the clients always ask, "Well what do you advise me to do?" Which puts me between a rock and a hard place because I *We* work so hard to develop a relationship that is based on trust! But I still must tell them that they have to make their own decision!
I guess I have explained my "Fiduciary Duty" sufficiently enough to my clients that they have never opted to hire an attorney!
Russ, I feel your pain. I submitted an offer to a listing agent a few weeks ago and her client was an attorney, but not a Real Estate attorney and I found out real quick why his house was still on the market.
Never let your clients hire anyone but a real estate attorney. The Big 3 use to give their employees legal aid so they ALL wanted their attorneys to look over the contract.
UGH...............
they were terrible.
Russ - I often believe attorneys are so adversarial by nature, that they look for reasons to just say, "NO." They aren't looking to cooperate, or make things go smoothly, because it's usually about billable hours, and the longer they can protract and delay, the more they make.
Hey Russ: Possibly you could refer this attorneyto Monica Conyers who may have better use for his skills. I'm dealing with two attorneys right now who are involved in an estate property that I've listed. These clowns represent two sets of heirs who are fighting over the assets of the deceased. It cracks me up when I receive calls from them for unnecessary reasons that are probably being made only to increase their income-streams. The only good attorney is a . . . . .
Russ - I loved your series. A bit of lawyer bashing on the comments... I haven't been on the deal killer side of the table. More often, I get called after the horse has left the stable (which could have been prevented if the buyer had a reputable agent or legal counsel). I would note that there is a fine line between protecting the client and killing the deal. When I am called up to review a contract, I identify the areas where there is a danger or risk. Ultimately, it is the client's choice - but at least they go into it knowing the risks. Where I think the problem arises is where the attorney starts making economic, risk assessment and business decisions for the customer.
Completely straight forward and no beating around the bush. Nice.