FSBO and Realtor Fee/Commission

[mendezw]

I am trying to pull off a FSBO. Recently a local Realtor brought by one of her clients to see my property. Even though she is not my realtor and I have not contracted one she included a 3% commission on her clients offer. Is she entitled to, or is it up to me if I even want to include a commission?:confused:

By the way, the buyer is her husband, so the whole thing just seems fishy to me.:cool:

[Codythebest]

Probably fishy at this point.
But I can't understand you. You're FSBO, and I'm sure you have a price. Since I don't know, let's say you want $200,000 for your home, so you set an asking of, let's say, $219,900.
Couldn't you say to anyone, even RE agent, that you just want $200,000 NET.
So, Mrs. agent, you sell for $500,000: I want $200,000 NET
You sell for 20 millions, I want $200,000 NET
You want to buy: I want $200,000 NET
You want 3%: I want $200,000 NET

I'm an agent (or not), born in LA (or NY), fluent in French (or spanish), love soccer (or...), black hair and collect license plates, will you sell to me if you have $200,000 ??? SO who cares??
It's amazing how FSBO get hard time to get that...

[Jim Erickson]

Is she entitled to, or is it up to me if I even want to include a commission?
She is negotiating a fee to bring a buyer of your home to the table. You can say 'YES' or say 'No' and you move on with selling your house.

By the way, the buyer is her husband, so the whole thing just seems fishy to me.
Nothing fishy about it at all. She is a licensed agent. Her husband is her client. She is representing her client in the purchase of real estate.

[Codythebest]

Nothing fishy about it at all. She is a licensed agent. Her husband is her client. She is representing her client in the purchase of real estate.

I disagree. A personal interest document must be disclosed...
Another agent working for herself instead of working for the public...

[Jim Erickson]

I disagree. A personal interest document must be disclosed...
It would seem obvious that the she disclosed her relationship as the original poster indicated that the buyer was her husband.

Another agent working for herself instead of working for the public...
All agents have family and some of their family members buy and sell houses.

[HomeSurfer]

If the agent was representing someone unrelated to her, I would think it natural to include a commission when making an offer. That still only makes it an offer, which the seller is certainly free to decline.

It does make me curious why a wife is representing her husband as a buyer and she isn't also listed as one of the buyers. I would certainly ask questions. That doesn't mean there is anything nefarious involved and there are lots of reasonable possibilities, but it is a red flag -- and merits increased investigation to determine whether there is something to be concerned about or not.

[Codythebest]

It would seem obvious that the she disclosed her relationship as the original poster indicated that the buyer was her husband.

Did she? Or did she present an offer without to say anything and see if the owner will catch that, insurance style?
BTW, insurance style is:
We pay you if you home burns down.
except is fire come from any kitchen, any family room, any bathroom, any bedroom, any garage, any closet, exterior or from anywhere else...


All agents have family and some of their family members buy and sell houses.

Exactly. And first thing I say just after 'good morning' is 'Please, understand that I'm an Real Estate agent and a Realtor for abc Realty and I have a personal interest to buy/sell this property. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns before I present an offer where I'll disclose the fact that I'm a real estate agent. Are you willing to cooperate with agents and willing to pay a commission?'