Absolutely not true. The only thing Villages' agents have to do is take an open book quiz to renew their license every two years.

Members of a local board are offered many different classes for general knowledge and specific courses to obtain various Realtor certifications.

There is a HUGE difference!

I didn't get that impression at all. When someone is unhappy with the way something is done or with the person who represents a certain company, for instance, they will always have unfavorable words for them and choose to use an alternative. In this case they said to "use MLS," which is perfectly understandable in this case.

I don't know anyone who wouldn't use an alternative, given a situation such as this.

All very well and good, but can you understand and explain the OP's original post?

No one has yet figured out what is meant.

Here it is Kup Cake. Can you understand what the problem is?

Gracie -- I think I get it. There is a lot of superfluous information in the post, but I believe Jamblu mentioned those few things so that we readers would understand that the agent lied from the beginning by saying the man was the original owner, that he expanded the lanai, etc. Seemingly, all the things the agent told the buyer (Jamblu) were lies.

Subsequently, when he/she didn't receive the signed contract and after fruitlessly trying to contact the broker, he/she was left hanging with no response from the agent or broker and was really ticked off. Having received no satisfaction whatsoever from the agent or broker, Jamblu is dissing the agent, broker and all VLS agents, which really is not fair, but understandable when a situation such as this happens. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth and everything is exaggerated.

Yes, MLS agents/Realtors are bound by a strict and written Code of Ethics, which the Villages' agents are not. But the truth is you will always find good and bad in every field of business. There is no excuse for him/her not being given a copy of the fully executed contract. Jambu should issue a complaint with the Florida Real Estate Commission and the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation. If everything is true as I understand it to be, Jamblu really does have a leg to stand on and the agent should be disciplined.

Of course there is always another side of the story. Perhaps the seller wanted his lawyer to look over the contract, I would, and that takes time. It is not as easy as just signing a piece of paper.

Could Have
 

It is reasonable to also consider the owner (a) said he was the original owner, (b) added the lanai, (c) was going into an assisted living facility. The Agent could have gone to the tax records but felt the owner was truthful. Once the new buyer found out someone did not tell the truth to just rip the contract up. No one was "making" them sign. Rather then walking away there is an attempt to bring consequences to the agent which may be unfair as they could be called out for not doing some additional investigation but no attempt to intentionally mislead. Key word being "intentional". :mornincoffee:

Just for general information. Anyone who is interested in how much homes cost here in The Villages and how old they are and who lived in them and how much the taxes are can go to any of the three county's property owners sites. You type in the address and it tells you how much the previous owner(s) paid for the property, when it was built etc. Here is the one to Sumter County; sumterpa.com. On the Sumter County Site do NOT type in the last part of the street address, such as Lane, Circle, Drive etc. If you want to find out how much your neighbors paid for their homes just type in your street name...no circle, drive, lane, boulevard etc...and see. It pays to stay informed as to how much your investment is worth.

If I were buying a resale I would find out all that I could myself. Having lived here for nine years, I have trust in The Developer. It is not to their best interest to fib. They don't have to. People are lined up to buy homes here. This is the fastest growing area in the whole country.

I am NOT a realtor, agent and I don't sell anything, nor is any one in my family or any friends a realtor.

I love my Village Real Estate Agent.... I have sold and purchased 3 homes here in the Villages and have had absolutely no problem. Like someone previously said, "There can always be a bad apple in the bunch"

I don't know why the o.p. did not complain to The Villages Sales Managers. TV is strict, strict, strict about what is said and done by its sales staff.

Many of the VLS sales reps are independent contractors, paying their own expenses as MLS agents do at outside agencies, and the VLS reps are expendable if they do not produce or commit misrepresentation. There are dozens more available to replace them, as experienced agents move here and get their real estate license in FL.

Experienced agents would LOVE to get that access to TV's literal gold mine of marketing and advertising data system that targets national and international customers.

On the other hand, regular MLS agencies I've seen will keep any Joe Blow as an agent, regardless of whether they produce or starve, because that agent isn't costing the agency anything.

There are two real estate systems which sell pre-owned homes in The Villages - MLS and VLS.
MLS agents don't have access to VLS listings. VLS agents don't have access to MLS listings.
There are more listings for pre-owned homes in The Villages on VLS than on MLS.

True. And in some cases, an MLS agent is paying a "desk fee" to the Broker.

:agree:

Slightly off topic. At what point should a person disclose that they are a florida licensed agent if they are the owner of a property they are trying to sell as owner?

Well this person has place classified ads on totv and shown several properties without revealing. I wonder what the letter of the law says.