When I have a high-quality property listing, I invest heavily in strategic property marketing to generate quality leads and attract genuine buyers. However, I sometimes receive calls and enquiries from potential prospects who ask extensive questions, only to later discover they are actually another real estate agent pretending to be a buyer.
I don’t condone this unethical behavior in the real estate industry, and I can’t always control it. It can be very disappointing to find out that the other party didn’t declare or introduce themselves as a fellow agent, calling to inquire if they can co-agency the listing I have. Transparency, professional ethics, and honest lead qualification matter in every property transaction.
Thanks to digital tools and verification apps available to realtors today, I can now partially screen whether a caller is a registered REN-tagged agent or a genuine prospect before proceeding with viewings or sensitive listing details.
I remember one incident when a co-agent contacted me to arrange a property viewing. As usual, I coordinated with the owner, and we proceeded to view the house. Although we had a signed co-agency letter and followed all proper procedures, I later discovered that the co-agent who attended with the “prospect” attempted to reach out to the owner directly. How did I find out? The owner himself informed me. The worst part? The so-called prospect wasn’t even a genuine buyer—they were the co-agent’s partner. How did I discover this? I bumped into them at a kopitiam in another area, wearing their REN tag. Of course, the so-called prospect didn’t recognize me, but I certainly recognized them.
It is crucial for real estate agents and realtors to build strong, trust-based relationships with property owners—especially to ensure they understand how the industry works and how competitive (and sometimes cutthroat) the property market can be. I’m always grateful to the owners and vendors who have played a role in protecting my livelihood and professional interests over the years. Thank you, sirs and madams.