Selling our first home was an emotional milestone. After four wonderful years and over $35,000 invested in improvements, we hoped for a fair return. A comparable, unrenovated property had recently sold well, reinforcing our expectations. I preferred an off-market sale to keep things simple and avoid commission-heavy processes. Zain from Ray White approached me, promising buyers ready to pay $980,000+ off-market with standard terms and a two-week close. I already had a firm $950,000 offer, but based on his confident pitch, I signed a 3-week off-market agreement. Things didn’t go as promised. After three weeks, Zain returned with an offer of $960,000. I was ready to accept, but he urged me to list publicly, claiming we could get $1M–$1.02M. Reluctantly, I agreed, trusting his advice. The public campaign ran for 7 weeks, and the only offer I received was $950,000—the same offer I had before engaging Zain. Pricing strategies kept shifting—initially listed at $1M+, then reduced within two weeks—creating confusion and diminishing buyer interest. In the sixth week, I learned I couldn’t switch agents for 90 days, something never disclosed. I asked for the contract to verify, but it was never provided. To make matters worse, the settlement period was extended by three weeks beyond the standard 40 days, adding extra costs and stress. Overall, I feel misled and disappointed. Promises were not fulfilled, communication lacked transparency, and the outcome was financially worse than what I originally had. What was sold as a “premium off-market opportunity” turned into a drawn-out, frustrating experience. Advice to Sellers: Be cautious when dealing with Zain and his team. My experience highlights the importance of clear communication and honest representation—both of which were lacking. Don’t let confident assurances cloud your judgment; ensure everything is transparent and in writing before proceeding
Zain Tariq
