RE agent problem

we bought building lots in the state of washington. the agent who showed and sold them to us was working out of a century 21 office. he showed us the wrong lots which we discovered before closing and now we are suing the century 21 office for our earnest money back. the century 21 people say that the agent was an independent agent and they are not responsible for his actions. the agent had business cards with century 21 on them and used correspondence with the century 21 letterhead. can we sue the century 21 office or do we have to find the real estate agent and sue him?

[HomeGuru]

You can sue the C-21 company no matter what.
Call the State licensing office to see what company his license was under. If under C-21, then the C-21 office was giving you a lot of BS. The agent had to be under the license of a principal broker. Check to see who this broker was.
If the agent was indeed licensed with C-21, then C-21 and the C-21 principal broker is indeed responsible for the actions and ALL the actions of this agent.

Your complaint would be yourself as Defendant and C-21 Corporate office, C-21 local office (and individual owners, officers and directors), principal broker individually and in the capacity of C-21 principal broker and/or broker-in-charge and the indivdual agent; Plaintiffs.

Because C-21 is a franchise, each office is independently owned and operated. Thus the Corporate Office will disclaim any and all liability.

In addition to the civil action, you have recourse in filing a complaint with the State regulatory agency (RE licensing office), the local Board of Realtors and the BBB.

Double check to see who really has your earnest money. Is it the C-21 office, the indivdual agent or an escrow company.
Depending on what you discover, you may have additional claims.

Please keep me posted.