Intentionally Broke Key In Lock To Prevent Showings....Complain?

Question

I want to ask what you agents...and maybe even investors would do in this situation. I had a showing set up, one what I suspect was going to be a very hot property. Property was listed very late on Tuesday night. I scheduled within hours of seeing it come to market for Wednesday. I get a call from CSS saying all showings were cancelled because someone accidentally broke the key in the lock. Listing agent says hes going to get a locksmith out there to replace the lock, should be viewable again by Fridya (after the Thanksgiving Holiday). Well today on Thursday it goes under contract.

It is now clear to me that someone likely intentionally broke the key off in the lock. So do I just let this go....or do I make an issue out of this. I of course am incredibly upset, and I expect my client to be very upset. So what would you all do?

It is now clear to me that someone likely intentionally broke the key off in the lock. So do I just let this go....or do I make an issue out of this.  I of course am incredibly upset, and I expect my client to be very upset.  So what would you all do?

Jerry W. · Answer

Bud, I feel your pain, but how are you ever going to prove your claim?  In the event you feel you have to say something to someone be very careful you give your statement or written verbage as your opinion.  If you directly accuse someone of an illegal or immoral act without evidence you could open yourself to libel or slander suits.  You can give an opinion, you can do it by innuendo, but do not make a statement you claim to be fact.  Good luck

Account Closed · Answer

if there was a electronic lock box you can see who did the last showing ( have to ask listing agent) but it would prove nothing, I have had this happen before your  only recourse write up your best offer to lock down the property it is usually done by the buyer to prevent other offers

Andy Luick · Answer

If you thought it was hot, you should have got your client in the car, drove it and written an offer subject to an inspection.  It would at least have gotten your client into the deal. A ton of assumptions get made with a lot of these BP postings.  You wrote that it was done to create a bidding war....obviously not if it's under contract already! Did you offer to drive out to meet the listing agent to get akey to another door....or was there only one way into the place? Who are you going to complain to and, who, aside from us here at BP is going to care?  Instead of whining, get creative and find the next deal.

As investors, we deal with all kinds of schenanigans....people take keys all the time out of private lockboxes, listing agents already have a contract with an inside buyer (Reo agents are notorious for this), agents call for highest & best when they only have one offer...yours!  All kinds of stuff.  In ever market, it often comes down to networking and relationships...build those and you will have fewer problems.

Account Closed · Answer

"I had a showing set up, one what I suspect was going to be a very hot property."

I was just going by what you said.

Steve Babiak · Answer

There are all sorts of nasty tactics that are used to make a listing unviewable - the one mentioned in the OP, the removal of the key from the lockbox, changing the lockbox combination, etc.  Just the way some less ethical people operate; you can't instill ethics into these people either, unfortunately.

Wayne Brooks · Answer

Yes, I've seen this happen.  Obviously, the listing agent screwed his seller, as it wasn't available to everyone.  Have you made sure the seller is aware of this?  This happened to me but I able to find "another way" in, that was of course broken/ajar before I got there.

Matt M. · Answer

I'd file a complaint and/or have your client do it depending on your gut feeling after you talk to the buyer's agent. Let us know what happens.

JD Martin · Answer

I hear your pain. Luckily there's always another deal around the corner!

Matt M. · Answer

On one hand I say it isn't worth your time and to move on to the next deal, but on the other, this is NOT acceptable behavior if what you say is true.

I'd be looking to see who the selling agent is after it closes. Does your MLS show that info? If the listing agent double ended it or someone in his office, then there might be an issue.

Account Closed · Answer

What would you do?  You seem to be making many assumptions and don't have all the facts.  You're not even certain it was a "hot property".  It's disappointing but that's life.

If it's any consolation, if they paid a locksmith to replace the entire lock rather than just extract the key, they got ripped off.  :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Intentionally Broke Key In Lock To Prevent Showings....Complain?

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