We’ve been getting a few google search results and more recent comments from this post we did a while ago about buyers out there looking to scam real estate agents. It sounds like a guy by the name of Michael Lecht is giving it a go again, so agents beware.
A couple recent comments:
Regarding Michael Lecht:
He contacted me 6+ years ago and wasted my time. He is super creepy and I fired him when an alert came out about a buyer with his name that was using multiple agents (all women). I guess he has a bad memory because I just received a voice message from him from my latest Real Estate Times ad.
-Eva
Michael Lecht contacted me twice this week. I thought he seemed suspicious, so I decided to Google his name and found this site. He claimed to have found my ad in the real estate times, which I haven’t advertised in recently. Thanks for having this info up, very helpful!
-SFRealtor
Let’s hope there are no more incidents. It goes without saying, this guy could very well use a couple different names, so just be careful.
Oct. 7, 2013: A buyer named Michael Lecht just called me to make an appointment to see a listing that I have. His story sounded a bit sketchy so I Googled him – glad that I did, found these postings. I tried to call him to ask him to come to a public open house instead of a private showing and he has a number with no voice mail. When he called me back to ask why I was calling, I told him that I’d be more comfortable if he would be able to view my listing during a Broker’s Tour or a public Open House this weekend. He got irate and hung up on me.
I received a call from Mi harl Lecht today 4/6/14. He instructed me to meet him at Starbucks on Pacific x Battery.
He game me his email to send 1 bdr condos up to $3Mil in dist 8 and South Beach. Thank you for this blog site as I thought he was too anxious with wanting to meet at a certain hour and place was too thought out without options. I will now not respond!
Thanks for the heads up that this guy is still out there.
BE ADVISED!!!
He called me last year looking for a unit up to $3M with specifically 1 bathroom, had to have only 1 bathroom! That was the first sign that he was not right. Also, wanted to meet at Starbucks on Battery St. and at that point I Googled him as well. I spoke with our in house Legal Counsel, reported it to the SFPD and told him NOT TO CONTACT ME AGAIN! Just this week he called again. I would appreciate it If anyone has a picture of him please post it so I can give it to the SFPD and we can all be aware of what he looks like should he show up at an Open House!
Agents, heads up…. He is still out there. Has contacted me 4-5 times this year on two different listings. Claims he would like to see them by appointment. Once he also left multiple messages with detail descriptions of what he was looking for, with a request to meet at a coffee shop.
He has been calling me for the last two days and is all over the place with his requests. SO he is definitely a scammer then I take it?
He’s definitely a scam…
Fortunately for me I have a clever processor who, when I told her about this strange guy who had called me for an appointment, said have you googled him. When I did I found this… Not only did he call me last week while I was at my Mom’s for the holiday wanting to schedule an appointment and referencing some ad he’d saved for a long time. I’ve NEVER taken an ad out in any publication. THEN, as I was at the airport returning home ON CHRISTMAS DAY, he called to ‘wish me a Merry Christmas’. He was supposed to come to my office today but called to cancel for which I am grateful. I will not be rescheduling with him. That really freaked me out and I’m so glad I googled him. He’s baaaaaaaaaaack!
Yes, Michael is back in game. I saw him yesterday at the open house in lower pacific heights. This time he was looking for 1 bedroom for $2.5 mil.. I remember, I read that article couple of years ago, but didn’t expect to meet him in person. He is a small elder man, ~5 ft tall, with a beard and mustache. We was dressed in a really old and worn clothes. Then he gave me a ridiculous description of what he is looking for. I felt that something was wrong, so I googled him and came across this article ones again.
Thanks for letting us know. Agents keep a lookout!
He’s back again!! Called me today saying he picked up my card from a table at an open house. Who does that? I knew something was weird when he quickly rattled off his email, emphasized the number he gave as his home phone number (which differed from the number he called from), rattled off specifically what he wanted (1/1/1, etc) $600k-$3 million. He’s only available M-W 1-4pm, and asked me to meet at Starbucks on Bush and Van Ness. It was creepy from the start, so I looked him up on Google. My boyfriend is glad I did too. Sent him an email cancelling the meeting. Not sure he’ll get the message; doesn’t sound like he ever does. Be safe everyone!
He’s back, just in time for spring. Same story argh!!!
He just contacted me – email [email protected] Thanks for heads up – I will cancel appointment with him.
I just received a call from his as well! Watch out everyone!
Me, too!
from Jan this year some secondary website request:
Hello,
Homebidz.co has a lead inquiring about a property.
Info:
Michael Lecht
4159333449
[email protected]
Message:
I am interested in this property and would like to schedule a viewing. Please let me know when this would be possible. 716 2nd Avenue San Francisco, CA 94118 MLS# 436262
He contacted me over the weekend.
I just got a Homebidz.com request to see my listing on Berry St from a Michael Lecht…..
He contacted me. Thanks everyone for the posts so now I know my instincts are correct!!