Buying agent "Spiff."

**Ted** · 12-12-2007, 10:34 AM

I have an idea to help sell my Home in OR. Can I offer, say a $1,000 cash spiff, to the buying agent? How would I advertise this? Is this a fair amount?
My point is to offer cash as a "gift", outside of the transaction, so it bypasses their broker or whatever the term is.

Good idea?

-Ted

**getofftheporch** · 12-12-2007, 08:48 PM

I am not sure how the laws work in Oregon so hopefully you will hear from a local agent. In St Louis what you are offering would be called a "selling agent bonus" (bonus to the buyer's agent). If your home is competing with a lot of other homes (size,style, price) it can be a usefule tool as an incentive for the buyer's agent to at least show your home.

I am not sure if $1000 would be an enticing bonus in your area and price. If the home is listed at $500,000 an additional $1000 might not be much of an incentive.

I would be stunned if the agent would be allowed to accept a bonus directly from the seller. We would require that the additional bonus be diclosed to the buyer and our laws would require the bonus go through the broker (agents may only paid by their broker). In the company I work we would pass the bonus directly to the agnet without the company taking a split. The only exception we would have is if it is not reasonable or equitable ($1000 commission and a $5000 dollar bonus!!)

We are allowed to advertise the selling bonus in our MLS.

I hope this might be helpful. Your agent should be able to answer your questions. Keep everything above board.

Good Luck!

**Greg** · 12-14-2007, 05:47 AM

Just raise the commission. Bonuses don't really mean that much because they usually go away during negotiations whereas a commission is protected in the listing agreement.

**Mike Taylor** · 12-15-2007, 05:42 AM

A little extra money always helps, but $1,000 doesn't sound like a lot. I would also be shocked if could you pay the $ directly to the agent. I think in most states this is highly illegal and cause for revoking a license.

**charlieberry** · 12-26-2007, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Mike Taylor

A little extra money always helps, but $1,000 doesn't sound like a lot. I would also be shocked if could you pay the $ directly to the agent. I think in most states this is highly illegal and cause for revoking a license.

You cant get the bonus to the agent wothout going through their agency without violating Ethics, at least here in NC