I've been in real estate for 30 years. I am a broker in Napa, California. HouseValues spoke with me on the phone and stated they would provide me with buyer and seller "leads". A HouseValues representative stated I could cancel any time after the first 30 days. The agreement was only valid if I was satisfied with the program.
I received notices at the rate of the promised 10 per month for over five months. None of these so called leads produced a buyer or seller. These contacts were practically all curious people or jokesters. They are not "leads". Most of the provided "leads" were from people in a price range not even available in Napa Valley. The entire program was obviously fraudulent in their promises and advertising. The work "lead" is not defined in the dictionary pertaining to real estate, but licensees in the business certainly have a definition for a "lead". These contacts provided by HouseValues are NOT leads.
I notified HouseValues that I was canceling my subscription and informed them of the reason. They were quite cavalier about the matter and demanded full payment for the balance of one year. I refused and requested to be conected to the young lady I spoke with originally (I have her name). After being transferred to another extension I was informed that she was no longer employed with the company. HouseValues then placed the account with a collection agency (They do business with a collection company called RPM.) Obviously this will be on my credit report and I will have to file an explanation with each of the three credit agencies.
I am currently preparing a report of the entire scam and submitting it to the Consumer Affairs Department in Washington. Hopefully they will investigate HouseValues and end this type of fraud. Whatever you do. Stay away from this company.
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