I'm with you Tom. I would never want my name associated with what you and your client saw at that house. I've shown some pretty rough homes, and I never understand why the listing agent wouldn't take the time, or pay a handyperson to paint over graffiti and pick up trash, peices of broken toilet, etc.

I think it's a sad comment on how little some people care.

Tom, that is so awful.  I am with you, I would have had that cleaned up right away - there is no way I would have my name associated with something like that.  I was once showing houses and drove past a church where that sort of graffiti was spray painted on the outside of the church - or all things?  It makes me sad.

It would be proper to clean something like that up before letting it be shown.

TOM - The attitude of the other agent is reprehensible.  At the very least, he should have been embarrassed at what was inside the house, even if it had multiple offers.

That is appauling, I have to agree the additude of agnets like that give the rest of us a black eye, and then some. I would be certain to preview any of this listings in the future. but som e people will d anything for a buck . Im with you , adn I beleive ethics will prevail. Racism is everywhere. It is just nmore embarrassing when it is in your face. My husband has a hispanic sir name , and is a general contractor. 4th generation hispanic from California , and you would be amazed at the stupid comments that people make and do that they don't even think of. the ignorance never seems to amaze me .

I agree with Adam.  The other agent had extremely bad form.

Tom, I'm curious to know if it was it a bank owned property?  The bank probably didn't want to spend the money to remove it.  If it was a private owner - then I would have told them to find someone else to list it. Either way - no way now how would my name be on that house.

Was the graffiti an act of vandals AFTER the listing was taken (did they break in and do it) or was the listing agent actually retarded enough to put it on the market in that condition?  Racism is something I absolutely do not tolerate! It's obviously not against the rules for an agent to list a property in that condition, but it should be! Even if it was the owner that did it (god help him/her if that is the case) freedom of speech allows us to say what we want, but as the listing agent, USE SOME COMMON SENSE! I guess its true what they say... common sense isn't so common.

I would have done exactly as you did. I really think the LA's reply was too casual. It offends me, if you want the truth. All I can say is that your client sounds like she's far more evolved and graceful then most people. I would NEVER permit any listing of mine to be shown with such hateful imagery. I would be concerned that by representing and showing it, I would be in violation of Fair Housing.

Clean it up! No matter where we are or what we're doing...even online...we don't want to be associated with the malcontents of the world. :)

Bobby - Thanks. I guess we all do things differently. It just flat out broke my heart.

Audrey - I knew racism still existed, but this was a huge wake up.

Carol - I wholeheartedly agree.

Adam - I thought so, too. I think his "It is what it is" statement summed it up.

Charlene - I do like to preview listings, but it's not always possible. Thank you.

Kristina - It was a bank owned property, but still I feel something of that nature needs to be cleaned up before  it is shown.

Peter - I believe it was after the listing was taken. I spoke with my broker who was as appalled as I was.

Jennifer - She was extremely graceful. I can't begin to imagine what it feels like to be the target of such vile hatred.

Sally - I'm with you! Thanks for your common sense.

Tom, I would have melted. I think you handled the situation really well and I am sure your true feelings from within were obvious to your client. I do hope she gets this home, but I hope the type of people that lived in the house do not reside in the neighborhood.

OMG, I dont even know how to respond to that. Apparently it didnt seem to bother that agent. I am appauled. I recently had a client and they were a biracial family, we walked into a home and to my surprise there were lots of racial pictures and flags all around and I was both shocked and embarrassed. Luckily my clients were able to laugh it off and were of the mindset that they would not let one persons racism and ignorance affect their day but they refused to put a dime in that persons pocket. Later when I was contacted for feedback the LA actually asked me if my clients were biracial and apologized and then proceeded to ask me if I thought those items should be removed. Well duhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mana - I don't know if the grafitti came from the previous owners or vandals. I think it was the latter. I hope they don't live nearby either.

Jennifer - Unbelievable. Just when you think you've seen it all...

I am speechless that a listing agent would leave something like that and not clean it up.

Sorry you and your client had to deal with that Tom.

What a shame, not only that the graffiti was there, but that the realtor with the listing didn't think it was important enough to clean up.  He could have spay painted over it with $3.00 and 10 minutes.  Shame on him, it was his responsibility.

Tom, what an experience.  I see that you mentioned it was bank owned, which we know can create some obstacles, but even if the bank wouldn't approve, I'm with many here, I would have taken some action to clean. I would not want my name associated with.

With our current market, now is a real opportunity for we Realtors to raise the bar and reputation for our industry.

I agree with you if I were the listing agent I wouldn't have let people show it.  The listing agent doesn't sound like he's in the business for the right reasons. 

Tom, it's a shame that it was bank owned and that they didn't even care enough to invest a few dollars worth of paint to clean garbage like that up.  I know that they view it as a business transaction, but come on.  I'm sorry you and your client had to experience that.

Tom,

That's very shocking and it's almost as bad that the listing agent didn't do something to have this removed before showings started... 
when will it ever end?

Jo

Myself, as an inspector, if I walked into a property and saw that on the walls, I would refund any money paid and leave. I refuse to be associated with that garbage in anyway shape or manner. I'd feel bad for my client, but my principles don't waiver.

Tom,

What a horrible thing to experience with your client.  If I was the listing agent and knew this was on the property, I would personally remove it.   We all need to stick together as Realtors and be on the same page by taking pride and caring in our properties and our cients.

Too bad we still have that in this day.  Lord help us!

Hi Tom,  This really is incredible, isn't it ?  I have to think that there is a certain slice of our country ( probably much larger than I care to admit !  ) that would condone this outrageous behavior !  Sounds like you handled it extremely well ! 

How sad.  It is raining and dreary here and this post just made the day even worse. The only bright spot was the reaction of your client

Your client has a lot of class and I hope she gets the home.  The listing agent should be embarrassed and his lack of concern makes the matter worse.  You showed a good deal of restraint not naming names.

We are with you and we would have the things painted over. Again, agents amaze us when they just take the listing and leave the rat droppings, garbage etc. in the home. So it costs them a few bucks and a bit of time, do the right thing is what we think and we would do.

Shirley - It takes all types. I would have handled it differently, that's for certain.

Brian - Me, too, but she handled it with grace.

Anna - Shame on him, indeed.

Trey - It's an opportunity that sadly some of abusing.

Brian B - I'm with you here.

Kristina - Even if the bank wouldn't, the agent should have.

Jo - I don't know that it will ever end. Heart breaking.

Shirley - It takes all types. I would have handled it differently, that's for certain.

Brian - Me, too, but she handled it with grace.

Anna - Shame on him, indeed.

Trey - It's an opportunity that sadly some of abusing.

Brian B - I'm with you here.

Kristina - Even if the bank wouldn't, the agent should have.

Jo - I don't know that it will ever end. Heart breaking.

Freaking unreal.  That level of pure ignorance is intolerable.  It almost makes you lose faith in mankind...

John - I admire your principles.

Janis - We certainly do need to stick together, especially so in this market.

Kenneth - Lord help us, indeed.

Bill - It's shocking to experience first-hand. It gives me a greater appreciation for what some people have to endure on a regular basis.

Linda - Very sad, indeed. She handled it beautifully.

Josef - No Need to name names. Karma will prevail.

Patty & Scott - You're clearly in this business for the right reasons. Thank you.

Jason - It was unreal. I'm glad you said almost... you gotta have faith!

Racism - in any form - is wrong.  Period.  I would bet it was done by some young punks in the neighborhood for shock value. Regardless - it is WRONG!  I too would have tried to do something to clean that ugly mess up. Unfortunately racism is all over and comes from all races. It is even present and become a big issue in the Presidential race.

Quick example - I was at the grocery store with my wife and one of her girlfriends.  Her girlfriend is of Cuban descent (large population here in FL so we have many friends who are of Cuban, Venezuelan or Puerto Rican descent) but this girl looks like a "white girl". She has pale skin and blonde hair, etc... And my wife and I are about as white as you can get - blonde hair and blue eyes.  Only tan we have is from hanging out by our pool or at the beach surfing.  Anyway there were 2 girls of Hispanic origin behind us in line.  They were going on and giggling in Spanish - not knowing that our friend was fluent in Spanish and speaks it with her parents when she is in their home.  Bottom line is these girls were talking about my wife and her girlfriend!  Our friend turned around and in Spanish she said, "Hey, I know exactly what you are saying.  Do you have some sort of problem with me and my friends?  You better watch what you say because I understand every word!!"  You should have seen the look on these girls faces.  They turned and bascially ran away.  I too was stunned when she told us what thes girls were saying about the "Stupid blonde white girls that must think they are all that!!!  All of this is so unecessary!  STUPID!  But kind of a funny story!  We all got a kick out of it.

Tom, it's hard to imagine in this day and age racism exists but it is sad where it is present.

Billy - It's very wrong. Thanks for sharing your story. I speak some Spanish, too, and have done similar things.

Gary - It was a shock to me and very, very sad.

Tom, my oldest daughter is bi-racial and stuff like this offends me. If this happened at my bank owned listing (which I currently have) I would have cleaned it up myself.  I certainly wouldn't want a potential buyer to see this garbage.

I think that Debbie is shwoing the professionalism I would like to think any of us would display. Be accountable and represent your listings . If your not willing to at least clean it up, even if it is bank owned, maybe you should not take the listing. I would have cleaned it up. I would have been appauled to walk into something like that irregardless of my race.

Tom, I am with Debbie and You on this one, cleaning it up, my precious grandson is biracial as well, and I am appalled when this type thing happens in 2008, but it does. 

I think this really falls (and may not be notated) under Ethics as a REALTOR®.

I personally do not believe it was "ethical" of that listing agent to leave that type of hate on display for all to see.

You are right, these are the kind of agents that give us all a black eye........ and in this case it was a real shiner.

Can you report him/her?

Hi Tom, well the listing agent must have known it was in there by his reaction. Does he deal with lots of foreclosure's and just doesn't care? I would have insisted the bank have it painted prior to showing. Cudo's for your buyer having so much grace.

Tom, I agree with you.  A responsible agent would have taken care of that problem right away.. and never would have let anyone go into the home until the graffiti was removed.  I remain appalled at the attitudes I see from people who claim to live in a "free society."  Free for them but not anyone else!  They remain "defects" in our society... you would think we would have grown more than that after all these years.

Racism is horrible.  Vandalism is horrible but.....

it's the owners responsibility NOT the agents, unless they are managing the property isn't it?  The listing agent has multiiple offers?  The listing agent's done their job for their seller. 

Would I personally slap some paint over it, if I was the listing agent?  Yes I would.

You are lucky to have such a level headed client.  Too bad she did not have an opportunity to see the property before those who've made offers and snatch it up.  Would you have hesitated to show the client the property if you knew what was there? What are you fiduciary responsiblities to your client?

Judging the agent as unethicial for allowing the home to be displayed seems judgemental to me in light of a buyer who could be offended wanting to put in an offer. 

I think the slimey real estate bloggers who use their indignation to slam others in their market are giving the industry a black eye.  It's akin to the National Enquirer to me.

Debbie - I would have cleaned it up at my cost if necessary.

Charlene - I agree with you about Debbie. I was appalled.

Terrilynn - Thanks. I knew it existed, but seeing it was a real wake up.

Fran - I could report the agent, but I'm not sure what good it would do. I'll have to think about it.

Missy - The listing agent works for a firm I have never heard of. When I first called, I got a message that the voice-mail box was full.

Jon - You would hope so, but clearly we have some work to do.

Maureen - You raise some interesting points. As to whether I would have shown her the home had I known what was in there, I think I would have. I would have liked the opportunity to have warned her what was inside. I still don't think the agent should have allowed the home to be shown until after the messages of hate were removed. The home would likely still have multiple offers without having offended anyone. Am I mistaken, or are you calling me a slimy real estate blogger for writing this post. I didn't name names, and didn't even say where the property was located. You are the one who seems judgmental to me.

Tom:  I think the hate messages should have been removed before the listing agent allowed showings.  I'm truly amazed that your buyer wanted to make an offer.  I agree that at the very least, you should have been given an opportunity to warn the potential buyer ahead of time.  I can only imagine how you must have felt but it sounds like both of you handled it quite well.

Tom Tom, I can honestly say that I have never in my entire life witnessed anything like that and I am glad for that! I don't want to. I can't believe that agent let you walk in there with it the way it was. That's sick and sad. You're a good man, my friend.

Later in the rain~Deb

Honestly speaking Tom,I don't care how much money I am going to get paid,I don't work with ignorant people. Lord forgive me for saying this but the listing agent/seller are very ignorant people. It is what it is?-Why would any one say that? I can say more but I am going to stop here. I am glad that your client (God bless her heart) dealt with it beautifully. Great post Tom.

My heart goes out to your client, because she was really the one who was hurt the worst by this situation.....and look at how graciously she handled it!  She didn't even let it stop her from making an unbiased financial decision about whether to buy the house.....amazing.  It's encouraging to know that as stupid & ignorant as some people are, there are other people who are intelligent & gracious enough to not let it bother them.

-Peter H.

Donna - As I'm sure you can gather, I agree with you. This just sickened me.

Deb - I had never witnessed it, either, but it was a good wake up call.

Lanre - Thank you. That statement left me in shock, too.

Peter - Gracious doesn't begin to describe her reaction. We will probably place on offer on the property today or tomorrow.

I CAN'T BELIEVE THE ATTITUDE OF THE LISTING AGENT!  I would have refused this listing unless the walls were cleaned of that filth.  I can't imagine your embarrassment when you took your client through; l would have expected that the listing agent would have apologized for not forewarning you about the condition of the listing before you went in.  OMG I can't get over how angry I am for you...disgusting.

Scott - I was stunned, too. As a footnote, I showed the house again Friday to my client and her husband. It was being painted and looked much better. They submitted an offer, so we'll see what happens..

Excellent!  - It sounds like you have a very understanding client.  Good luck with this sale.