Agent cops life ban

A PROMINENT northern Gold Coast real estate agent, once praised by late former mayor Ron Clarke as “restoring his faith” in the industry, has been permanently disqualified.

Alex Far, the former sales director of Runaway Bay’s Sovereign Realty in Runaway Bay, has been barred from holding a real estate licence following an investigation by the Office of Fair Trading.

Mr Far appeared before the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal on Tuesday after a complaint was lodged with the Office of Fair Trading about the termination of a contract of sale for their property.

The tribunal was told Mr Far presented a contract worth $1.1 million to the property sellers, concealing that the buyer was a deregistered corporation of which he was a former director.

Mr Far also provided the sellers with false information regarding the supposed payment of a $100,000 deposit into the agency’s trust account.

After suspicions were raised, Mr Far produced a series of falsified letters and emails related to the progress of the sale and then wrote a fake letter terminating the contract.

According to an OFT statement, QCAT in sentencing Mr Far, considered his lack of remorse and the effort he went to in falsifying documents.

It was said this clearly showed his intention to deceive the sellers in order to make a profit.

In addition to being disqualified, Mr Far was also fined $5000.

It’s a significant fall from grace for the former agent whose website still contains supportive testimonials from prominent locals.

Olympic legend and former mayor Ron Clarke wrote a supportive message to his website 2012.

“Alex, you have restored my faith in the real estate profession with the efficiency, energy, and care you and your office have displayed in hand- ling the recent sales, and purchases, of properties in Runaway Bay and Paradise Point,” he said.

Legendary country music singer Ray Kernaghan also wrote, “I always knew you would be the one selling our house”.

Fair Trading executive director Brian Bauer said the disqualification sent a strong message to others that misleading consumers would not be tolerated. “Real estate agents are placed in a position of trust,” he said.