PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – A Putnam County man said he was shocked to find out his property was listed for sale online even though he didn’t list it after a man came to his property for a tour.
William Ferrell is passionate about his property. He said it brings him joy.
“I wouldn’t sell this property,” Ferrell said.
He bought the 10-acre property 10 years ago. He spends most of his time gardening, growing fruits, vegetables, and all kinds of edible weeds.
“I enjoy this. I love this. And someone wants to steal it from me?” Ferrell said.
That’s why he was shocked to find the property listed for sale online. He doesn’t live on the property, but visits often.
Ferrell was gardening when he says a truck pulled into his driveway.
“The guy jumps out and starts coming down to walk the driveway and I said to him ‘Private property, private property’ nice loud...I’m wondering, ‘Who is this?’” Ferrell said.
He was there because he was interested in buying the property listed on Zillow. The I-TEAM checked out that listing yesterday. It shows the home was pending sale for $75,000. On Wednesday, the listing was removed.
Marcia Wilks is the realtor behind the listing and she told News4JAX the seller came to her from Homes.com, an online lead generator tool for real estate agents.
When he completed the listing paperwork, he didn’t provide his ID and identified himself as William Ferrell impersonating the real owner of the property.
“You just feel violated...that someone has made me a victim, or is trying to make me a victim,” Ferrell said.
Wilks said she feels like a victim too as her reputation as a realtor has been damaged. Her brokerage, EXP Realty is investigating but did not immediately respond to News4JAX’s requests for comment.
“First and foremost, I hope that the realty industry is held accountable. We can mitigate the opportunity for the scam artists like that guy. If he in fact duped the realty company, sure I want him held accountable,” Ferrell said.
He also said realty companies should ask for ID at the time of the listing agreement.
News4JAX contacted Homes.com for comment and they’re actively investigating what went wrong.
The phone number for the man who impersonated Ferrell rings, but never takes you to a voicemail.
News4JAX was told that the buyer of the property was refunded for his down payment.