WHEN a married couple sold their downtown apartment for $688,000 in 2007, they thought it was the best deal they were going find.
But soon after they granted the buyer the right to purchase the property, the two-bedroom Keng Cheow Street apartment was re-sold for $945,000.
It was only later that Mr Yuen Chow Hin and Madam Wong Wai Fan found out about the second deal.
They also learnt that the woman who bought their flat - and flipped it for a healthy profit - was married to the boss of their real estate agent.
The couple cried foul, and are now suing ERA Realty Network in the High Court, seeking $257,000 - the difference between the two sale prices - and the return of about $7,3oo in commission.
They allege the company did not try their best to find buyers and made a 'secret profit' off the deal.
ERA disputes that and says the couple have no basis to sue them since the agent was not an employee but an independent contractor.
On Wednesday, the trial entered its third day, with ERA senior vice-president Marcus Chu taking the stand.
Read the full report in Thursday's edition of The Straits Times.
