I was being moved to Junction City by my new employer, and had only a short time to move. I contacted ReMax and spoke with Pat McRae, who agreed to show me some houses. When we got to Junction City to look at houses, she explained that she had several houses for us to look at, and one was owned by someone else who worked in her office, David Alexander. We looked at several house, including Mr. Alexander's house. We liked his house, but it was obvious that there had been some problems in the basement, so we were concerned about that.
When we agreed to write a contract, Ms. McRae telephoned Mr. Alexander and he came in to the office to meet us. He explained that the damage in the basement had happened before he owned the house, but that it had been fixed. He also indicated that it was a water pipe problem, that the old owner's daughter had asked for the water to be turned on, but had not known about the pipe issue and it had flooded the basement.
We asked again if there were any problems, and I told them I wanted a home inspection done. Since we only had 2 weeks to close, it would be pushing it, I knew. Mr. Alexander and Ms. McRae both told me it would be impossible with the timing we had, because it took so long to get the inspection done and back. I explained again I wanted one, and they again told me it wouldn't work. I finally agreed, because I knew that I had to move in on the 10th of August, and it was already the end of July.
This had been a dry spell in the Junction City area, so there was not obvious wetness in the basement. When we moved in, all seemed fine, but at the first good rain, we knew we had been lied to. The basement not only leaks, but leaks through the walls and will have to be completely redone. The pipe that they had told us was fixed was not fixed, and needs to be replaced as well.
When I called Ms. McRae, she indicated that she was sorry, but that it was Mr. Alexander's issue. Mr. Alexander indicated that he didn't care.
I called Corporate ReMax, who told me that it was not their issue, as it was a franchise. I asked if it was their habit of having their salespeople lie, manipulate and break the law based on what had happened, and they indicated that it wasn't their issue again.
I have not been able to get an answer as to who is going to pay for this, (assuming, I guess, it will be me), but I have filed a lawsuit against Remax, as well as a complaint with the Kansas Attorney General's office and the Kansas Real Estate Commission, since what Ms. McRae and Mr. Alexander did happens to be both against the law and against the commission's code of conduct.
Kansas law, and the Real Estate Code of Ethics, both of which I researched before filing the report, state that it is against the law and the code of ethics to misrepresent/lie/not disclose materiel that may be harmful to the new owner, which this definately is. (Kansas Real Estate Commission Article 2, Kansas State law 58-30,106, c-f)
DO NOT use ReMax for any Real Estate Deal!
Reply from ReMax Corporate office, Email:
Dear Patricia:
I received your email concerning a problem you encountered involving Pat McRae, Sales Associate and David Alexander, Sales Associate/Owner of RE/MAX Properties in Junction City, Kansas.
As you may know, RE/MAX International, Inc. Is an international franchising organization made up of thousands of independently owned and operated real estate offices. Although the offices are licensed to use the RE/MAX name and service mark, each is a separately owned business. Real estate sales associates work as independent contractors out of each office. Neither RE/MAX Mid-States and Dixie Region, which has been granted the right to sell franchises in the state of Kansas, nor RE/MAX International, can legally manage or control the day to day activities of either the independently-owned office or the individual sales associates who work within the office.
Both RE/MAX International and RE/MAX Mid-States and Dixie Region are also independently owned and operated. Nevertheless, when a situation such as this is brought to our attention, we want you to know that we care and do what we can to try to assist in resolving problems. Since receiving your letter, I have forwarded a copy of it to RE/MAX Mid-States and Dixie Region for their review. If you would like to contact RE/MAX Mid-States and Dixie Region yourself, you may do so at: 800-397-3629 and ask to speak with Steve Aulgur.
We at RE/MAX International, Inc., believe that the RE/MAX Network of offices and sales associates is the finest real estate organization in the world. Our excellent reputation is the result of a commitment on the part of each RE/MAX Affiliate to provide the finest in professional real estate services. As with any business, however, occasional problems such as those expressed by you will arise. It is our sincere hope that this matter can be amicably resolved. It is our further hope that all involved will benefit from this experience and will have improved relationships and communications in the future.
Your willingness to communicate your concerns to us is not only appreciated, but is extremely important to our organization. We are committed to finding better ways to serve the public and while we cannot change your experience, we can try to learn from it as we strive to improve our services to the public.
Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
Patricia
Junction City, Kansas
U.S.A.
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