10/29/2022
A Scary Story: On big holidays, our title attorneys Greg Clare and Bill Wetterer like to send out Nord’s cookies as a thank you for the business we bring Wetterer & Clare. I always like to write them a thank you in return, Today, that thank you is in the form of a true story about why (besides great cookies) we like to work with them.
One Friday afternoon a man and a woman arrange to see a home we have listed. By Saturday they’ve made an offer. But it’s unusual. It’s not on the standard board contract form, they don’t have a Realtor, proof of funds is a letter about a trust fund in someone else’s name in Texas and the purchase is being made by an LLC. Several unusual things in one offer.
It’s late Saturday evening. I know if I call Greg to ask about these things, he’ll answer his phone even if he’s out at a social event. So I don’t call. I wait until Sunday morning. Diane and I have worked through minor issues with the buyer by then and it’s looking like we will accept the offer if the other issues turn out to be insignificant. We schedule a signing meeting with our clients, the sellers, two brothers selling their deceased parents’ home.
They’re thrilled about the offer and are looking forward to signing the papers at noon on Sunday (this is real estate and that part is not unusual).
I call Greg. “Greg, here’s what we have: LLC, out of state trust fund, unusual contract, no agent…” He goes through the items one at a time. “Do this… ask that… insist on something else…” I take notes and call the buyer. The answers aren’t satisfactory and the buyer sounds a bit edgy.
I call Greg back. He says, “wait.” He logs in to the Secretary of State web site to research the LLC. I hear “uh oh…” Then “ooohhh.” He goes “wait a second…” I hear his keyboard working furiously. Then a big “Oh no!” He sends me a link.
It’s a news report from a local TV station on a crook who targets estate homes with no mortgage. He shows up on Friday afternoons since he knows many lawyers aren’t available over the weekend. He has defrauded at least 10 local families of their homes. He has done jail time for these crimes. Despite this, he was arrested just a few months before for forging a “certified check.” He’s still at it.
No deal. Greg advises us to decline the offer since the buyer won’t meet our counters that would protect our clients. It’s now 11:30 and our clients are already on their way to our office. They walk in all smiles and ready to sign.
We break the news.
Silence.
But then gratitude.
Thank you Greg Clare. Thank you Bill Wetterer. Not just for the cookies but for the great work and great service.
Amen.
