David Scott Gale who walked away from at least 4 contracts on million-dollar plus homes a few years ago is back at it again and using the same MO, where he makes a cash offer on a million-dollar listing and claims to want to close in 30 days. He never does any due diligence (negotiate in good faith, provide proof of funds or produces an earnest money deposit). We’ve been told that he is charming, tells lots of stories; many of which have been found to be lies. He has a rap sheet, is a registered sex offender and also has a securities violation. He hasn’t threatened any of the agents he’s been in contact with, but he does waste a lot of their time and no one knows what he’s up to. In the past, he’s looked at properties primarily in Southern Delaware County, but has also contacted agents about properties in Bexley and downtown Columbus. Just want to remind agents about this fraudulent buyer and his MO.

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09/12/2016

We’re sad to report that Past President Dick Fagan passed away this morning (Sept. 9) at 8 o’clock.

Obituary available to view here

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dispatch/obituary.aspx?n=richard-fagan-dick&pid=181361045&

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09/09/2016

According to HER, Realtors®, two of their agents have received non-legitimate email inquiries from Al Maktoum almakt0808@gmail.com (863) 400-6366 x2 on two different properties through Zillow.

https://columbusrealtors.com/alerts/default.aspx

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09/07/2016

The Columbus REALTORS® association headquarters will be closed all day on Monday, September 5th in observance of Labor Day. The association will open for normal business hours on Tuesday at 8:30am.

Schedule:
Monday, September 5, 2016 – Closed
Tuesday, September 6, 2016 – Open at 8:30am

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08/31/2016

LeadPages (RPRPages.com) is soliciting members for lead generation services. The language used in the emails would suggest they are affiliated with NAR and/or RPR. They are not (and NAR RPR is examining the use of RPR trademarked logos in this vendor’s marketing).

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08/30/2016

An agent in Newark was contracted by a potential seller, requesting an appointment to list his property at 60 Peach Blossom Road, in Pataskala. He had mentioned that he had seen her picture, thought she was pretty, and that he had known of her for about a year. This made her a little apprehensive about meeting with him alone, so she took a colleague with her to the listing appointment. When they arrived at the property, there was a heating and cooling van parked and running in front of the house. They asked the gentleman in the van about the owner and he said “the owner was running late and that he was there to help the owner move some things.” When the owner arrived, he was very insistent about them seeing the bedrooms in the home and took them to the loft. They tried to turn on the light in the loft, but it was taped off. So, her colleague turned on a light she had, saw that there was someone in the bed, and their instinct was to run. As they were trying to get out of the home, the door handle came off, so they had to run out through the garage. They called the police and found out the seller had a 20-year history of criminal activity from assault to sexual imposition. The agent wanted other REALTORS® to be aware of this incidence and to always trust their gut — if it doesn’t feel right, proceed with caution.

See more at: https://www.columbusrealtors.com/alerts/default.aspx

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08/29/2016

“I will never hold an open house alone again!”
A 28-year old female member (who would like to remain anonymous) had a harrowing experience this past Sunday when a man parked near the Upper Arlington condo where she was holding an open house, waited until her customers left, tried to hide when spotted, then tried to get in – but she’d locked the door. The man was African American, around 35 years old, about 6’ tall, was wearing a dark gray jumpsuit and dark gray hoodie, and drove a gray car with black tinted windows. “I had a bad feeling as soon as I saw him. And it doesn’t matter the color of his skin, it was his eyes – they were blood shot red. I was terrified!” There was another open house in the same complex held by a male REALTOR®, but the man didn’t visit that open house. “I just want to warn other females – don’t hold open houses alone!” The police have been contacted.

See more at: https://www.columbusrealtors.com/alerts/default.aspx

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08/17/2016

Reported to Columbus REALTORS®

Erik Hiss, Keller Williams Capital Partners, reported that a suspicious looking woman was spotted sitting in her car taking pictures of a Clintonville home. She claimed to be an appraiser and when asked for what company, she said “Got it. Thanks!” and sped off. She looked to be in her early- to mid-fifties, wore eye glasses with plastic rims, had longer, sandy colored hair and she didn’t look real professional. Her hair was pulled back and she was wearing a t-shirt. She was driving a tan/beige 90’s model Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable with a yellow “student driver” sticker on the back of her car, and the camera she was using looked like an older (bigger/boxy) digital camera. Wouldn’t have thought much of this, except for her odd behavior, and it’s just another reminder that if you encounter suspicious activity – trust your gut – and contact your local police department.

See more at: https://www.columbusrealtors.com/alerts/default.aspx

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08/11/2016

Columbus REALTORS® Association Offices will close early on Friday, July 29 for a staff event.  Please plan accordingly.  Offices will reopen at 8:30am on Monday morning for normal business hours.

Schedule:
Offices closed – Friday, 12pm
Offices reopen – Monday, 8:30am

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07/29/2016

View full obituary here:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dispatch/obituary.aspx?n=daniel-d-frye&pid=180658243&fhid=8702

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07/19/2016