Warnings of 'financial, emotional minefield'

By ANNE GIBSON

Realtors' dishonest tactics, tricks, incompetence and cover-ups will be revealed at a series of seminars later this month, an Australian crusader says.

Author and whistleblower Neil Jenman will run a series of seminars that he says will show people what really goes on in real estate.

But Real Estate Institute president Graeme Woodley roundly rejects Jenman's tour and warns people against attending the seminars.

"If you want to waste your money, go," Woodley said, unaware that the seminars were free. "Jenman used to be in real estate and now he makes money out of running seminars, writing books and bagging the industry. I've read his books and he's trying to suggest the whole industry is the same as the bottom 2 per cent who spoil it."

But Jenman's seminar promotion promises to save people thousands of dollars.

"In just three riveting hours Neil Jenman will show how thousands of real estate consumers collectively lose millions of dollars every year. You will be amazed at what you discover," the seminar promotion said.

"Real estate is riddled with dishonesty, incompetence and cover-ups. There are literally dozens of scams. Most are so clever that people never realise they have been caught until it is too late. Some people never realise. The typical consumers - young singles, the mums and dads, the battlers, the elderly - are most at risk. They are uninformed and too trusting. It's a dangerous combination.

"But some of the biggest losses also happen to wealthy people. Real estate is a financial and emotional minefield for all consumers.

"At this seminar, Neil Jenman will give you powerful solutions to protect yourself." The four seminars are in Auckland on August 23, Tauranga on August 26, Napier on August 30 and Timaru on September 2.

Jenman seminars