After reading Jane Wombolt's complaint regarding Century 21 Metro-Alliance, I felt compelled to give my report. I had a similar issue with a realtor couple from Century 21 Metro-Alliance in Chandler/Gilbert, Arizona. I was relocating my family from nearly 2,000 miles away to Arizona. Our plan was to find a short-term lease on a home in Arizona. We would move into the leased house on a temporary basis and look for a home to purchase during the lease period. We found an advertised rental home online, and rented it through Realtors William (Bill) and Carrie Proper. We discovered later that Carrie was the actual listing agentnot Bill. However, for some reason, they seemed to think it best that Bill handle all transactions with us, even though his name was not on any of the documents.
Realizing there was a serious foreclosure problem in that part of Arizona, we asked Mr. Proper to conduct a formal title search to confirm for us that this home had no similar issues. He said he would do so, and get back to us with confirmation. When he reported back to us, his report was, I checked it out and everything is finethere are no foreclosure problems the title is free and clear. Proper emailed the lease agreement to me. We printed it, signed it and sent it back, plus a security deposit and one months rent. Well, on Saturday, April 26, we moved into the house. On Sunday, April 27, A NOTICE OF TRUSTEES SALE was posted on my front door. Of course, Bill Proper insisted that this was a mistake. When we asked how he conducted his investigation, he replied, I asked the owner.
On Monday, April 28, I called Title Trust Service Deed Company of Arizona and learned that the notice was indeed valid. The judgment was filed on March 13. Line 206 of their own lease agreement says, Landlord shall not allow the Premises to become the subject of a trustees sale. However, they entered into a fraudulent agreement with us on April 18, more than a month after the premises had already become the subject of a trustees sale.
After more than a week (and overwhelming evidence) they finally admitted that the house was in foreclosure. He went on to say, The good thing about it is, you get to stay in the house until the Trustee Sale without having to make more rent payments. He went on to say, Thats almost 2 months. The check you sent, more than covers you through that period.in fact, you might even be able to live there for up to 3 months before youre served with a notice to vacate the premises.
When we requested that our funds be returned, he tried to move us to another housethat the rental amount kept changing on. When we asked about foreclosure issues, he replied Im sure their mortgage is paid, theyre Oriental. While it shouldnt matter, I believe the owners of the house that he initially rented to me are Hispanic.
After being persistent with Bill regarding our deposit, he finally said the owner had agreed to send it directly to us but he insisted that it be sent to him instead. When he received my un-deposited cashiers check, he and his wife Carrie Proper, insisted that they would not give it to me unless I signed a cancellation of lease agreement, return the key and garage door opener to them and move out NOW. Not tomorrow, but now. He even volunteered to follow me home to conduct a move-out walk through inspection. When I suggested that I could not move out at that very moment he replied, Then I cant give you your check back. He went on to say, the alternative was that I sign a new lease agreement (which he conveniently had with him) or I could be arrested for trespassing. Then things turned even more bizarre. Mr. Proper asked me if I would give him $100 now and he would allow us to live there for $100 a week. When I refused He then pulled out another contract and said, Well, do you have $25? Will you pay $25 a week?
Upon moving in 2 weeks earlier, we were informed by Mr. Proper, as well as our written lease agreement, that once weve moved into the house, our dealings would be with the landlord not Mr. Proper. However, William Proper has consistently refused to provide us with the owners contact information as per the ARIZONA RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT
Furthermore, Proper maintains that he gave me the only key to the house. However, when we came home one evening, we discovered that someone had been in our house. We called Proper and asked who else had a key to the house. His reply was, Well, there shouldnt be anyone else with a key. He then quickly changed the subject. We know for sure that someone was in the house, because things had been moved around. Then, early one Sunday morning, we heard our doorbell aggressively ringing. I was asleep, so it took me a while to get clothes on and to get down stairs to the front door When I arrived at the door, I peeked through the blinds and saw Bill Proper standing at my front door, keys in hand as his wife sat in the car parked out front. It appeared as though he was trying to gain entry. Knowing that someone had entered prior, in the interest of my familys safety, I had changed the locks. He stood there with a frustrated look on his face. I told him that I was just waking up. He replied that he would be calling me. I watched and waited to see if he would use the keys in his hand to start his car, but when he got in and immediately pulled away, I realized his car was already running. Now, it was even more apparent that he did have keys, and attempted unlawful entry.
Then, he began a series of phone calls and voicemails some of which contained threatening messages like, You are trespassing. If you dont return the keys and garage door opener by tomorrow, Im going to have resort to another method and that way you wont like. This is an example of his cold-hearted business ethics after I had moved my family nearly 2,000 miles based on deception.
I contacted Mr. Charles McLean, the designated broker for Century 21 Metro-Alliance in Chandler/Gilbert Arizona, by email first; then by phone. He said he would be meeting with the Propers the next day and would get back to me. To this day, I have not heard from him.
Another Victim
Phoenix-Metro, Arizona
U.S.A.
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