Part 3

Nicolas Smith, Private investigator

The examples of the “truthyness,” which endlessly frustrate professionals
and home shoppers, are comically listed on Teresa Boardman’s weblog.
Clearly, it is no laughing matter when visitors feel fooled into viewing a
property based on deceptive marketing practices. (How Not to sell a home).

Nic Smith aptly described the “fraudsters,” who prowl the real estate
marketplace committing “foreclosure scams.” These are the individuals who
can easily persuade a financially strapped homeowner to “sign over title,”
and a “memo of understanding,” (all under the pretense of restoring the
defaulting party as rightful owner, if and when the economic storm clouds
pass).

Smith quoted from his excellent article, ” The Psychopath at Work, Home
and Play.” Referring in part to, “Surprisingly, many psychopaths lead
perfectly normal lives.” These “sub-criminals are amoral,” later adding,
“they lack empathy, remorse and see people as objects to be manipulated.”
(You’re preachin‘ to the choir, Nic).

After the meeting, Smith said that licensees are held to a standard of, ”
What the seller knew or should have known about their property.”
He strongly feels, that some day the standard will be, “What you knew
about your client, or should have known about your client.”

Nichols J. Smith, CPP
CA Lic # 5617
41 Sutter Street, Suite 1230
San Francisco, CA 94104
Direct 415-738-2995
Fax 415-358-6877
Toll Free 800-516-2448
nicsmith@psinvestigates.co

Pat Kapowich,
“Negotiating Smooth Transactions Throughout The South Bay”
SiliconValleyBroker.com