Do Estate Agents Work For Their Commission ?

[Beetlejuice]

They are all poor and unprofessional - all of them and I have used them ALL at some stage

edit: but obviously some are better than others perfect homes and elite stand out

Of course they are, I thought this was common knowledge and have no idea why people use them?

All the real estate agents do is advertise the properties in their shop windows, on their websites and perhaps some may advertise a property in a newspaper or magazine, if you’re lucky. Some may also be brokers and only too willing to sell you an insurance policy or provide you with a money loan.

That’s about all they do. The real estate agents will always give higher priority to the selling of the more expensive real estate, for the obvious reason they yield in more commission. This applies to advertising and the so-called service they provide. An agent will probably escort a prospective buyer around an expensive highly desirable property him/herself, but as for the bottom end of the real estate market, they really couldn’t give a rat’s behind.

Anyone selling a property would probably gain better results from advertising on the Thai visa classifieds, in the local Thai newspapers, on Thai classified websites, placing posters outside on the Rin Ping supermarket notice boards, and asking the local taxi drivers and market and shop keepers to spread the word around telling them there is a commission in it for them if they find a buyer. This is how it`s usually done in Thailand.

Edited June 21, 2012 by Beetlejuice

[binjalin]

that's the best way - drive around - be careful of Wang Tan as there are TONS of soi dogs around

I'd heard that before but apparently they've rounded 'em up. You'd be flat out finding any dogs roaming loose, it's a very peaceful clean and green mooban.

haha Iived there for quite awhile... up to you!!! but...

it's not the feral dogs that are the problem in Ban Wang Tan it's those owned by Thais who let them out but... if you know best

If you feel that you have a problem with dogs in BWT I trust you have advised the office accordingly?

you are correct! but they can do nothing about the selfish Thai owners of several dogs who open their gates and let them roam, chase people, get into packs at night, kill cats and other wildlife and <deleted> the strays and produce yet MORE dogs

[funcat]

We sold our second hand house to (and 99% of the viewings were Thai's) an average Thai.

Can you share some details,how did you get those people to find you?PM me if you want...Thanks.

...I was hoping for some "hints" here...well,I guess not

[binjalin]

We sold our second hand house to (and 99% of the viewings were Thai's) an average Thai.

Can you share some details,how did you get those people to find you?PM me if you want...Thanks.

...I was hoping for some "hints" here...well,I guess not

well I think I already stated earlier how I got viewings? did you read the whole thread? (probably not as I often don't so I'll state it again).

I got a signmaker to make a large plastic advert (horizonzal) and tied it to the front gate + I made a stable additional 'for sale' sign to go beside the road in front of the house (vertically). I sold my house very quickly and had several viewings - no agent commissions! many, many people travel around the area they wish to buy in and just 'look'. It can be a little inconvenient with people ringing the door bell but it's worth that annoyance to sell the property. Hope this helps.

[funcat]

We sold our second hand house to (and 99% of the viewings were Thai's) an average Thai.

Can you share some details,how did you get those people to find you?PM me if you want...Thanks.

...I was hoping for some "hints" here...well,I guess not

well I think I already stated earlier how I got viewings? did you read the whole thread? (probably not as I often don't so I'll state it again).

I got a signmaker to make a large plastic advert (horizonzal) and tied it to the front gate + I made a stable additional 'for sale' sign to go beside the road in front of the house (vertically). I sold my house very quickly and had several viewings - no agent commissions! many, many people travel around the area they wish to buy in and just 'look'. It can be a little inconvenient with people ringing the door bell but it's worth that annoyance to sell the property. Hope this helps.

Thanks binjalin...

[AddictedToThai]

There is a reason, why agents in Thailand are not active at promoting seller's properties. Why invest time, advertising costs, signage costs, photographer costs if there is a chance that the seller will sell the property through other agent, or find the buyer by himself? Compare it to US, where agents are all competing with each other for the right to list a property, because the contracts are all exclusive and the seller's agent always receive commission, no matter how the buyer found the property.

Therefore, until agent-seller relationships are on non-exclusive terms in Thailand, agents will continue to collect thousands of listings, knowing nothing about most of the properties they sell, and only serve the buyers coming through the agency's doors. Until the situation change the best strategy to sell property in Thailand is to take good pictures, prepare good description, research the price and list the property with as many agencies as possible.

[market trader]

Don't blame the real estate companies. The fault lies in the system. In the U.S.A. and Canada you list your property with one agent. You have a choice of using that agency exclusively or going with MLS ( multiple listing service) which will increase the commission payable but will also give your property much more exposure. When the property is sold commisssion is split between listing and selling agencies. The listing agent will come to your property, take pictures. Note all the details and point out in advertising the attractive features. Quite often they will have an agency day where all the agencies are invited to come and view the property for sale. Now here in Thailand the seller contacts every agency they can think of to sell the property. What incentive is there for an agent to come and view the property take the details and pictures when there is a 90% chance that they will not be the ones selling it..We made an accepted offer on a property in late May of this year and are now living in the house.However it is still listed for sale at 4 real estate companiess.

[CMweb]

Interesting post comes up here.

I didn’t read all posts so forgive me if I miss something.

I’m a German and I was running real estate business over 7 years up in Europe, now after the crisis we moved to Chiang Mai and we open Buy & Rent Chiang Mai CO. LTD. http://www.buyrentchiangmai.com

Yes agencies try to make money with making contracts, but not all agencies try to steal you anything, just want to get paid for there work.

I’m not sure why some agencies are act like this but it is real not provisional and I belief there are also good ones out there.

Some points who make all Agents crazy or they don’t care about after many times you hear the same thing.

Years back I always try to correct the price the owner ask, the problem is, most owners WANT this price and don’t listen so better is not to try to change the owners mind, but after one moth on the market we always try to talk with the owner maybe to lower the price as we belief it is too high. In the last weeks in Thailand, I found only foreigner who ask about the right price, and in this case we will estimate the property for the seller.

About the more selling prices, I’m not sure if some agencies put the price up to get more, but I know some owners WANT xxx and we have to but our commissions on the top, so if the seller ask the owner direct, the price will be lower. This is happen in about 10% cases.

About photos, we are always happy to visit your property, as this way we know what we try to sell, but many times the owners have no time or they are not here, then we are happy if we can get some photos per mail. If you give your property to an agency, you always should as them to make photos from your place, this way you find out if they are really interesting to afford the sale. But please make sure to have your home clean up as mess is not locking well on photos.

About more calls and no people are from the agent, this can be as many agencies include the condo or mooban names in there listings, so the direct sell is still coming thru an agency website as many buyers think it is better to find the place by myself to avoid a fee, they just miss there are no fees if the deal between seller and agency far.

Some points why you should use multi agents to get your property sold or rented, only the use from more than one, gives you more options to find the right guy in the right moment.

Some points why you should use an agency to buy a property, if the agency is good, they will secure your down payment on their company bank account in case there is a problem with the property papers they just can give it back to you and you have no lost or fight about with the seller. You also should never buy a property without a special lawyer who can check and make sure all papers are clean, good agencies will provide you with a good lawyer for free of charge, this is away like we do to thank you for your business with us.

About promotions, nobody can or will need to promote every property on other ways like to place it on the agency website, we always make some promos on classifieds, special online options, but always only the top hot properties to get more peoples to look at our website, but still it need 5000+ visitors to get one property view appointment, so it sound easier like it is in real estate business.

Edited September 12, 2012 by CMweb

[market trader]

Interesting post comes up here.

I didn’t read all posts so forgive me if I miss something.

I’m a German and I was running real estate business over 7 years up in Europe, now after the crisis we moved to Chiang Mai and we open Buy & Rent Chiang Mai CO. LTD. http://www.buyrentchiangmai.com

Yes agencies try to make money with making contracts, but not all agencies try to steal you anything, just want to get paid for there work.

I’m not sure why some agencies are act like this but it is real not provisional and I belief there are also good ones out there.

Some points who make all Agents crazy or they don’t care about after many times you hear the same thing.

Years back I always try to correct the price the owner ask, the problem is, most owners WANT this price and don’t listen so better is not to try to change the owners mind, but after one moth on the market we always try to talk with the owner maybe to lower the price as we belief it is too high. In the last weeks in Thailand, I found only foreigner who ask about the right price, and in this case we will estimate the property for the seller.

About the more selling prices, I’m not sure if some agencies put the price up to get more, but I know some owners WANT xxx and we have to but our commissions on the top, so if the seller ask the owner direct, the price will be lower. This is happen in about 10% cases.

About photos, we are always happy to visit your property, as this way we know what we try to sell, but many times the owners have no time or they are not here, then we are happy if we can get some photos per mail. If you give your property to an agency, you always should as them to make photos from your place, this way you find out if they are really interesting to afford the sale. But please make sure to have your home clean up as mess is not locking well on photos.

About more calls and no people are from the agent, this can be as many agencies include the condo or mooban names in there listings, so the direct sell is still coming thru an agency website as many buyers think it is better to find the place by myself to avoid a fee, they just miss there are no fees if the deal between seller and agency far.

Some points why you should use multi agents to get your property sold or rented, only the use from more than one, gives you more options to find the right guy in the right moment.

Some points why you should use an agency to buy a property, if the agency is good, they will secure your down payment on their company bank account in case there is a problem with the property papers they just can give it back to you and you have no lost or fight about with the seller. You also should never buy a property without a special lawyer who can check and make sure all papers are clean, good agencies will provide you with a good lawyer for free of charge, this is away like we do to thank you for your business with us.

About promotions, nobody can or will need to promote every property on other ways like to place it on the agency website, we always make some promos on classifieds, special online options, but always only the top hot properties to get more peoples to look at our website, but still it need 5000+ visitors to get one property view appointment, so it sound easier like it is in real estate business.

Well if you are a real estate agent in this city maybe you should go back and read all the posts. They may help you to improve your services to your clients and ultimately your sales and commissions

[CMweb]

Interesting post comes up here.

I didn’t read all posts so forgive me if I miss something.

I’m a German and I was running real estate business over 7 years up in Europe, now after the crisis we moved to Chiang Mai and we open Buy & Rent Chiang Mai CO. LTD. http://www.buyrentchiangmai.com

Yes agencies try to make money with making contracts, but not all agencies try to steal you anything, just want to get paid for there work.

I’m not sure why some agencies are act like this but it is real not provisional and I belief there are also good ones out there.

Some points who make all Agents crazy or they don’t care about after many times you hear the same thing.

Years back I always try to correct the price the owner ask, the problem is, most owners WANT this price and don’t listen so better is not to try to change the owners mind, but after one moth on the market we always try to talk with the owner maybe to lower the price as we belief it is too high. In the last weeks in Thailand, I found only foreigner who ask about the right price, and in this case we will estimate the property for the seller.

About the more selling prices, I’m not sure if some agencies put the price up to get more, but I know some owners WANT xxx and we have to but our commissions on the top, so if the seller ask the owner direct, the price will be lower. This is happen in about 10% cases.

About photos, we are always happy to visit your property, as this way we know what we try to sell, but many times the owners have no time or they are not here, then we are happy if we can get some photos per mail. If you give your property to an agency, you always should as them to make photos from your place, this way you find out if they are really interesting to afford the sale. But please make sure to have your home clean up as mess is not locking well on photos.

About more calls and no people are from the agent, this can be as many agencies include the condo or mooban names in there listings, so the direct sell is still coming thru an agency website as many buyers think it is better to find the place by myself to avoid a fee, they just miss there are no fees if the deal between seller and agency far.

Some points why you should use multi agents to get your property sold or rented, only the use from more than one, gives you more options to find the right guy in the right moment.

Some points why you should use an agency to buy a property, if the agency is good, they will secure your down payment on their company bank account in case there is a problem with the property papers they just can give it back to you and you have no lost or fight about with the seller. You also should never buy a property without a special lawyer who can check and make sure all papers are clean, good agencies will provide you with a good lawyer for free of charge, this is away like we do to thank you for your business with us.

About promotions, nobody can or will need to promote every property on other ways like to place it on the agency website, we always make some promos on classifieds, special online options, but always only the top hot properties to get more peoples to look at our website, but still it need 5000+ visitors to get one property view appointment, so it sound easier like it is in real estate business.

Well if you are a real estate agent in this city maybe you should go back and read all the posts. They may help you to improve your services to your clients and ultimately your sales and commissions

I’m sure I read the most important points and I’m also sure we are much better than average agencies in CM

[funcat]

Interesting post comes up here.

I didn’t read all posts so forgive me if I miss something.

I’m a German and I was running real estate business over 7 years up in Europe, now after the crisis we moved to Chiang Mai and we open Buy & Rent Chiang Mai CO. LTD. http://www.buyrentchiangmai.com

Yes agencies try to make money with making contracts, but not all agencies try to steal you anything, just want to get paid for there work.

I’m not sure why some agencies are act like this but it is real not provisional and I belief there are also good ones out there.

Some points who make all Agents crazy or they don’t care about after many times you hear the same thing.

Years back I always try to correct the price the owner ask, the problem is, most owners WANT this price and don’t listen so better is not to try to change the owners mind, but after one moth on the market we always try to talk with the owner maybe to lower the price as we belief it is too high. In the last weeks in Thailand, I found only foreigner who ask about the right price, and in this case we will estimate the property for the seller.

About the more selling prices, I’m not sure if some agencies put the price up to get more, but I know some owners WANT xxx and we have to but our commissions on the top, so if the seller ask the owner direct, the price will be lower. This is happen in about 10% cases.

About photos, we are always happy to visit your property, as this way we know what we try to sell, but many times the owners have no time or they are not here, then we are happy if we can get some photos per mail. If you give your property to an agency, you always should as them to make photos from your place, this way you find out if they are really interesting to afford the sale. But please make sure to have your home clean up as mess is not locking well on photos.

About more calls and no people are from the agent, this can be as many agencies include the condo or mooban names in there listings, so the direct sell is still coming thru an agency website as many buyers think it is better to find the place by myself to avoid a fee, they just miss there are no fees if the deal between seller and agency far.

Some points why you should use multi agents to get your property sold or rented, only the use from more than one, gives you more options to find the right guy in the right moment.

Some points why you should use an agency to buy a property, if the agency is good, they will secure your down payment on their company bank account in case there is a problem with the property papers they just can give it back to you and you have no lost or fight about with the seller. You also should never buy a property without a special lawyer who can check and make sure all papers are clean, good agencies will provide you with a good lawyer for free of charge, this is away like we do to thank you for your business with us.

About promotions, nobody can or will need to promote every property on other ways like to place it on the agency website, we always make some promos on classifieds, special online options, but always only the top hot properties to get more peoples to look at our website, but still it need 5000+ visitors to get one property view appointment, so it sound easier like it is in real estate business.

OK...if you're interested you can sell our house...what's the commission 3%?

You welcome to come and view,make photos etc....if you are German,I know you'll do better than average...

Here is my ad in TV classifieds:

http://classifieds.thaivisa.com/real-estate/houses-for-sale/4-bedroom-4-bath-big-family-home-186076.html

[worgeordie]

Simple answer to the ?, no way,all of my dealings with Estate Agents here were really a waste

of my time, its much easier to sell yourself.

Put an add on the gate,couple to power poles in your area,free add in Thai Visa Classifieds,

Baht Sold, and as most people also fancy themselves to be Estate Agents,from the corner shop

owner,to the guard on the entrance,and the grapevine of local gossips,you will soon find a buyer/

renter.

The house next door is for sale,and the owners want 15 mil, the estate agents that the house

owner contracted to sell the house,have the house on their website for 16mil and 18mil and

expect to keep the difference PLUS the commission, Once we had an agent that got tenant

for our property, 1 year contract,when the year was up, agent phoned has tenant extended

the lease ?, Yes, agent, well I want another months commission, , leave it to your imagination

what my answer was. !!!!, There might be decent Estate Agents in CNX ,but I have not met

any.

Regards Worgeordie

[masuk]

It would seem to me that there are no licencing/training requirements for estate agents in Thailand.

I viewed some properties which were totally filthy, cockroaches, weeds, rusting gas stove, and a new moo baan with tiny little rooms and fireplaces! In Chiang Mai!! The agents could well have advised their clients to smarten up.

However, I struck it lucky with "ChiangMaiHouse", (next to the YMCA in Sermsuk Rd) a delightful crew there, all spoke excellent English, showed me a place in the area I'd specified and the rent was exactly what I'd asked for.

I've now moved into a delightful house in the Maejo area, and the agents continue to be helpful. 3 bedrooms, nice western style kitchen, 3 bathrooms and two toilets. (yes, they are not the same).

After 6 months in a condominium, where I hardly met the other inhabitants, it's nice to be out in the 'burbs, chatting to the neighbours, helping each other.

[CMweb]

OK...if you're interested you can sell our house...what's the commission 3%? You welcome to come and view,make photos etc....if you are German,I know you'll do better than average... Here is my ad in TV classifieds: http://classifieds.thaivisa.com/real-estate/houses-for-sale/4-bedroom-4-bath-big-family-home-186076.html

I will contact you by phone, thanks

Simple answer to the ?, no way,all of my dealings with Estate Agents here were really a waste of my time, its much easier to sell yourself. Put an add on the gate,couple to power poles in your area,free add in Thai Visa Classifieds, Baht Sold, and as most people also fancy themselves to be Estate Agents,from the corner shop owner,to the guard on the entrance,and the grapevine of local gossips,you will soon find a buyer/ renter. The house next door is for sale,and the owners want 15 mil, the estate agents that the house owner contracted to sell the house,have the house on their website for 16mil and 18mil and expect to keep the difference PLUS the commission, Once we had an agent that got tenant for our property, 1 year contract,when the year was up, agent phoned has tenant extended the lease ?, Yes, agent, well I want another months commission, , leave it to your imagination what my answer was. !!!!, There might be decent Estate Agents in CNX ,but I have not met any. Regards Worgeordie

As I say in my first post, you always should use multi agencies as this gives you a higher chance to find a buyer. You neighbor found the “black sheep” this is not a normal way to try to sale a property as an agent. You also should never sign any exclusive contacts with an agency, there is no guarantee they can find you the buyer. I would never ask or sign any of these contacts as I cannot guarantee we find a buyer for you, I can only try to find one.

It would seem to me that there are no licencing/training requirements for estate agents in Thailand. I viewed some properties which were totally filthy, cockroaches, weeds, rusting gas stove, and a new moo baan with tiny little rooms and fireplaces! In Chiang Mai!! The agents could well have advised their clients to smarten up. However, I struck it lucky with "ChiangMaiHouse", (next to the YMCA in Sermsuk Rd) a delightful crew there, all spoke excellent English, showed me a place in the area I'd specified and the rent was exactly what I'd asked for. I've now moved into a delightful house in the Maejo area, and the agents continue to be helpful. 3 bedrooms, nice western style kitchen, 3 bathrooms and two toilets. (yes, they are not the same). After 6 months in a condominium, where I hardly met the other inhabitants, it's nice to be out in the 'burbs, chatting to the neighbours, helping each other.

Yes the Chiang Mai House girls are one of the good agencies in CM, very provisional and honest. I’m happy you find your home and you are happy with an agency

[Mapguy]

I would strongly second the complaint that real estate agencies and brokers most often do not always earn the traditional 3% fee, and I believe that there are some insightful reasons posted above as to why that is so given that the "profession" is really nothing more than a free-for-all. My Thai attorney agrees emphatically with me. On the other hand, there are a few agencies --- and those mainly involving westerners (often previously experienced in real estate) --- who do attempt a good job in a straightforward way who do not play some of the games (as referred to in various posts). Pity so many of them are really illegal (for visa purposes) "consultants." As well, many free-lance speculators --- not all, but some --- are also involved in some dubious dodges of the law. So, caveat emptor!

[lizardtongue]

Have had the same experience in other places in Thailand, I think anyone can rent a shop and call it an Estate Agent. Also here in LoS your property value seems to be 'As much as you can get for it'.

I have nevere sold through an agent always managed to sell on line or local advertizing, if you take that route make sure you have acompetent solicitor/notary I have never had a problem.

Good luck

[circusman]

I recently used a few agencies to help me find a rental house. I was getting desparate, and living in a hotel until I found Century 21. They found us a perfect house in Hang Dong and I signed a lease immediately. It is soi dog free so far.

[binjalin]

I recently used a few agencies to help me find a rental house. I was getting desparate, and living in a hotel until I found Century 21. They found us a perfect house in Hang Dong and I signed a lease immediately. It is soi dog free so far.

C21 are good but charge 5% to owners not the normal 3%

[onthedarkside]

A 'name & shame' post has been removed due to potential legal issues here in Thailand.

[jackr]

A property is only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it.

Forgive the rhetoric, but I consider this phrase right up there with 'there are good and bad people everywhere', 'if you don't like it, go home'. It is flippin' irritating and clearly obvious. Only loonies who believe the universe is steady state, we will all be judged, and that the daleks are not real would say such a thing.

On topic, reckon the less people involved, the better... things always seem to run more smoothly when there are fewer Thais mooching about.

[hellodolly]

Have not read the article or posts so let me guess Yes they work very hard

No they do nothing, Plus a few con artist or rip off type descriptions.

[hellodolly]

To the OP,

When you said "typical response's" from agents when listing your property, are you actually serious that they asked the following.

Quote

* Yes, we will list your property on our web-site.

* Do you have photos and can you send us detailed description of your property ?

* How much do you want for the property ?

* Do you know how much the transfer fees and duties etc. will be ?

* Our commission will be 3% of the sale price

* If you do not have photos we will send a photographer to take pictures

* No, we do not usually come around to familiarise ourselves with your property.

Unquote

Not trying to be sarcastic but from what you have stated that sounds like one of the better agents. above board and establishing facts before listing. At least they will negotiate on the price if they have an interested buyer.

This upsell price that you mentioned is basically unheard of unless you sign and witness two contracts. Can you provide proof to substantiate your claim.

I have a lot of experience with agents here as well and have found the average Somchai on the corner is one of the worst scammers and crooks. There is R.E licensing and a very large Goverment dept who oversees all property transactions.

Lastly there is no cost to list or market a property here in CM with the big agency you referred to,contary to what you stated. If I am wrong I request you to PM me with details.

Disclaimer,I have no financial interest in any Company based in the Kingdom of Thailand.

here is what he said

"Here are some of the typical responses I have received from most others including Chiang Mai's "biggest" agency"

Notice he does not say from one agency?

Edit

OK I have read it all What a surprise I was rite.

Not trying to take sides here but I see some agents put up a web page with lots of properties on them some real bargains others not. But it seems like half of them have a sold sign or leased sign on them. If I was to look for a agent and looked at there web sight I would automatically dismiss them because they can not even keep their web sight up to date,

A friend of mine had to move so he was shown a few different places. One he was interested in so he went back that night to talk to the tenant. I was with him. It was a pleasant chat but the fellow had no intention of moving. Go figure.

Edited November 23, 2012 by hellodolly

[binjalin]

its worth mentioning that real estate is one of the areas forbidden (along with rice and antiques) for foreigners to deal in yet many of the agents have farang obviously involved and controlling etc.

[JeremyBowskill]

The long and the short of it is don't bother with any agents. I have been here over 9 years and brought and sold a few properties and find all agents in Chiang Mai borderline useless. The best way is to go to a building or area you like and ask around yourself, its far quicker and cheeper.

[JeremyBowskill]

This sums it up in Chiang Mai.

[lizardtongue]

I have sold a couple of properties in Thailand, both via the internet and ad's placed in local papers, if you do decide to use this method make sure you remove any listings you may have with agents.

The reason I say this is because the first property I sold was also on an agents books (they never visited the property) however they did discover I had a buyer and attempted to get the commission out of me!

Best of luck, just hang in there!

Edited November 24, 2012 by lizardtongue

[onthedarkside]

This sums it up in Chiang Mai.

It sure does sum up estate agents all over the world. Very entertaining.

[hellodolly]

This sums it up in Chiang Mai.

It sure does sum up estate agents all over the world. Very entertaining.

Not in the part of Canada I come from. There they work for there money they will many times have a group of salesman and women take a half day off where they go and look at various listings. They advertise for you and handle all the paper work plus take pictures and if you are open to it they will give you a few suggestions to help make it more attractive

When they show your home they show it they do not view it for them selves. If you are buying you walk in tell them what you are looking for and they go through there listings and bring out a list that fill your requirements.

edit

They will also drive you around to look at the homes.

Edited November 24, 2012 by hellodolly

[JeremyBowskill]

This sums it up in Chiang Mai.

It sure does sum up estate agents all over the world. Very entertaining.

Not in the part of Canada I come from. There they work for there money they will many times have a group of salesman and women take a half day off where they go and look at various listings. They advertise for you and handle all the paper work plus take pictures and if you are open to it they will give you a few suggestions to help make it more attractive

When they show your home they show it they do not view it for them selves. If you are buying you walk in tell them what you are looking for and they go through there listings and bring out a list that fill your requirements.

edit

They will also drive you around to look at the homes.

Wild stab in the dark here, are you a retired real estate agent from Canada?