Home Buyer Suing Agent: Ummel v. Little Update

Back in January I wrote, On Buyers Suing Agents — an article about California home buyers Marty and Vernon Ummel suing their real state agent Michael Little and his RE/Max brokerage. The Ummels claim Little “defrauded them when he failed to inform them that similar houses on the same block were selling for more than $100,000 less than what the Ummels had paid”.

Today the San Diego Union Tribune reports that jury selection in the trial begins tomorrow – which coincidentally happens to be April Fool’s Day…

While it appears that most “legal experts” don’t think this case has much merit, it will be interesting to follow. We’ll bring you whatever we can dig up.

More info:

The original New York Times coverage.

Here are the Ummels in a Today show segment:

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Tucson Michael

She got blasted by common sense in this video, in my opinion this lady is looking for someone to blame for her home going down in value. When she buys a stock and it goes down does she sue the stockbroker? Or when she buys a car and she cannot sell it for Kelly Blue Book Value does she sue Kelly Blue Book for negligence in valuating her car? It's just dumb. Anyway we both know she would not be on national TV proclaiming how smart her agent was to have her buy the home if it zoomed up in value drastically she whould be saying it was her amazing investment skills that made her purchase the home. Again just a dumb move, and really a waste of their money to pay all the laywers and everyone to keep moving this along.

Susan

On the contrary of the negative comments being pelted at the Ummels, I am one to stand right next to her and her husband in hopes of a Victory on their behalf.
She is not deficient on "Common Sense" she is "Courageous" to take on an Industry that has been "Taking Advantage" of the Real Estate Consumer in California for years! I applaud her for standing up to make a difference in this Industry!
Real Estate agents capitalize on not having to be accountable for their contractural Fiduciary Responsibility to their client. In addition,they are not held accountable for the Code of Ethics that they proudly pride themselves on. Most of these agents go out and subscribe to C.A.R. which is an Association that tells the Consumer that they are PROFESSIONALS and that you can TRUST them... Fidicuary Duty, TRUST and Professionalism those are the key words! And they should be held accountable for these words when they sign that contract with their client!
I am also in the middle of a lawsuit with my Realtor and his Broker. This began in 2005 and I am still fighting this case!
But guess what, not only was my realtor dishonest, he also had a CRIMINAL record! Oh well, I am told, some of these guys SLIP THRU the CRACKS! I can tell you right now that if I had known he had a criminal record I would have never ever hired him!
This Real Estate Industry is in a BIG MESS and if the Ummels win, (I hope they do) maybe then it will be the beginning of some much needed changes