Special offer
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS, South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker! (Fathom Realty Washington LLC)

Spam prevention
Rainmaker
5,216,381
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

What does the compensation offering in the MLS say? If this is a surprise fee, write the offer so the seller pays the fee. If it is not in the compensation offering in the MLS, file a complaint with the Boad after the closing.

Mar 11, 2019 04:11 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Say what? And was this fee to present an offer disclosed in MLS?

Mar 11, 2019 04:34 AM
Rainmaker
1,196,798
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Not clear, do you have the buyer?

Mar 11, 2019 02:44 AM
Ambassador
6,393,154
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Sounds like you have permission to contact the seller, that helps.

Next, do you have a buyers agency signed with your buyer?

Have your buyer write this fee into the offer as something the seller will pay for.

Mar 11, 2019 12:42 AM
Ambassador
5,229,945
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Junk fees are what I call them!

Sure, write the Offer, reflecting the fee will be paid by the seller, unless that fee is clearly stated in MLS.

If they balk, report the agent to your MLS Board.

Mar 11, 2019 05:27 AM
Rainmaker
961,383
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate
Kelly Right Real Estate - Hood River, OR
Customized Choices for your Real Estate Needs

Unusual.  Is his limited service a Flat Fee listing? If so, he is only advertising in the MLS. Write the offer and give it to the seller.  Sounds like he is not getting paid the amount he wants from the seller so he is trying to drum up revenue by charging you.  Does he think he should get a referral fee? Yes, sounds fishy.

Mar 11, 2019 12:23 AM
Rainmaker
758,035
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

I don't understand, why is he writing the offer? I'd write the offer & send it over, then I'd call him off the hook. I like to try calling from different phone numbers throughout the day til the mope picks up. 

Mar 11, 2019 04:56 AM
Rainmaker
628,764
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

If you are representing the Buyer build the fee into the Seller contribution. You have permission to deal w/ Seller direct ask them what the fee is? Have not come across this fee scenario before.

Mar 11, 2019 03:41 AM
Rainmaker
953,617
Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide

That is wild!...is what I say.

Mar 11, 2019 01:31 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,186
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Jeez. He wants to charge you a fee, or the buyer?
How much $? Is it worth whining about?

How bad does the buyer want the house? Ask him what he wants to do. If he asks what do you think I should do? I'd say can you walk away from this deal over what, 300 bucks if you don't get it?

Yeah?

I would write the offer, and in it, provision that such transaction technology or WTF ever fees to be paid by the seller. The seller wanted to do this cheap, he gets what he pays for. If he wants a deal.

If buyer's gotta have this house, and he's willing to pay it, all bets are off. Write it up, deal with the seller, make the deal for your client.

Mar 11, 2019 07:26 AM
Rainmaker
2,390,537
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I'd move on Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS . What's in this for you?

Mar 11, 2019 06:00 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Our state rules require a minimum level of service.  Part of that level is to negotiate on behalf of their client, also we are prohibited from telling another agent to negotiate directly with our client.

Mar 11, 2019 06:33 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,271
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Doesn't seem right. Wayne's got a good idea. That's what I would do in my area.

Mar 11, 2019 06:21 AM
Rainmaker
556,536
Greg Cremia
Shore Realty of the Outer Banks - Nags Head, NC

If it is not in the mls then you do not owe it. He told you to call the seller so call the seller and present your offer to the seller per the listing agent instructions. The listing agent already got paid to put it in the mls so no need to even think about it.

Mar 11, 2019 05:56 AM
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Ask the buyer what he/she wants to do if they really want the house. Maybe they will pay the fee. But my first thought was " tell agent to eat manure and die"

Mar 11, 2019 05:21 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

I agree with Wayne Martin 

Mar 11, 2019 04:34 AM
Rainmaker
1,197,072
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Interesting, I have no experience with this type of transaction.

Mar 11, 2019 04:11 AM
Rainmaker
3,626,530
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Walk or run away, 

Mar 11, 2019 04:05 AM
Rainmaker
469,510
Dan & Laurie Pittsenbarger Team
Keller Williams Western Realty - Bellingham, WA
Lakeside & Coastal Single Family Homes

I'm assuming it's some kind of transaction fee in the $100 to $200 range. If this is the case and it's payable at closing I wouldn't worry about it - but that's just me. If it's the right place for the client and some 100ish dollar fee comes out at closing so be it. If I honestly  think there's a better home for my client, I'm pointing out as many "cons" about the home as possibe and directing the attention to something else. 

If its an up front fee to present an offer, I would be hunting down both the seller and the listing entity. Let them know that I have a good offer for them but neither myself or my client will be paying any extra fees and any and all exchange of funds will take place at closing.

Mar 11, 2019 10:01 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,042
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Breaking News :  the state of Washington joins the Wild West. 

What's listed in the mls?  Anything can be asked but what has been agreed?

Mar 11, 2019 08:29 AM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Guess, I am clueless.

Mar 11, 2019 08:02 AM
Rainmaker
711,752
Lynnea Miller
Bend Premier Real Estate - Bend, OR
Premier Real Estate Service in Central Oregon

Charge YOU a fee?  I am confused.  Is he offering you a fee to write up a deal on behalf of a buyer? What does MLS say?  Does the buyer have representation? It almost sounds like a FSBO.  Need more information to answer your question.  We have limited service real estate companies in our market, but full co-op fee noted in MLS.  We do negotiate directly with the seller - and do twice the work, but if the property works for our buyers, it can work.  We have closed a number of these successfully.

Mar 11, 2019 07:57 AM
Ambassador
1,026,893
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

Our Board does not allow limited service listings. So many variables in this, but so many unkind things I'd like to say about the lister. 

Mar 11, 2019 07:54 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I see a couple of these in my board too.  They call it a "technology fee".  I'd write it into the offer that it's a seller's fee or "buyer will not pay X fee."  There is a place in our contracts on page 5 for extra fees.  I'd put it there.

Mar 11, 2019 07:39 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

I agree with Wayne Martin 

Mar 11, 2019 07:30 AM
Rainmaker
716,049
Richard Bazinet /MBA, CRS, ABR
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Phoenix Scottsdale. Sellers, Buyers & Relocations

That's a good one... never heard of it. I would present the offer directly to the seller, and let the seller figure that one out.

Mar 11, 2019 07:23 AM
Ambassador
5,048,883
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Haven't seen that but have seen fees disclosed in the MLS on rare occasions. Would do what Debe Maxwell, CRS said.

Mar 11, 2019 07:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,090,637
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

I have never heard of this before but have seen other junk fees in the MLS listings. I would not pay the fee since if the deal did not close, you or your buyer would be out the money. 

In our MLS limited service listings have to enumerate services provided, is that required in yours? I would call our MLS director first and ask if that is permitted then call our legal hotline for guidance before contacting the seller. Better safe than sorry. 

Mar 11, 2019 08:08 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,153
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

do the math, lay aside the judgment or obstacle and rise to the occasion. Why? We are seeking results not tangents or excuses. 

Mar 11, 2019 07:53 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I would check with an attorney to see if this can be enforceable.

Mar 11, 2019 07:31 AM
Rainmaker
7,835,402
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

A situation to avoid.

Mar 11, 2019 06:53 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Do you have a DUTY to your client to do WHATEVER the other side compels you to do?

Most agents say yes. Most agents are over-paid and will GLADLY pay other up to 50% (often more for white tower franchises) of their compensation for the PRIVILEGE to do so.

But. lets not stop there.BROKER established this precedent by imposing fees on their agents and encouraging their agents to pass that fee to the other side disguised as a MLS fee or marketing fee.

Let's not overlook the revelation some BROKER add a service fee if they are required to write a commission check to THEIR agent.

If you see a problem with this 'deferred responsibility' business model, it may be time to start kicking the a** of some BROKERS.  (yep, it may require a collective effort from those who are in the menu.)

What ever the agent chooses to do, be aware, the only face the client sees is the one they will place blame upon.  It going to take courage to choose to be different and stand up to brokers who see agents as fungible assets.

 

Mar 11, 2019 05:23 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,323
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

I agree with Wayne Martin 

Mar 11, 2019 05:43 PM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Wait a second while I get my 10' pole out of my trunk.

Mar 11, 2019 09:44 AM
Ambassador
2,178,553
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I have a theory about what might be happening.  It IS fishy!

Mar 11, 2019 09:04 AM
Rainmaker
519,324
Dan Tabit
Keller Williams Bellevue - Sammamish, WA

Hi Paul, is this F#X%A, a local company that has advertised a lot?  I did one deal with them and it wasn't a big deal. Another agent I know got burned, paying a non-refundable fee within 5 days and then backing out.  Everything was disclosed, but they didn't enjoy the experience. 

Mar 11, 2019 05:00 PM
Rainer
509,449
Susie Kay
Ultra Real Estate Dallas Fort Worth - Plano, TX
North Dallas Specialist

I'm not sure I'm following this.  Are you the buyer's agent writing an offer to his seller?  Then the commission should be posted in the mls.  Why do they want to charge you a fee for bringing their seller a buyer? If you are negotiating the offer directly to the seller than I would suggest bringing this to his attention.  I wouldn't pay that fee.

Mar 11, 2019 03:55 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

As Captn' Wayne wrote. The seller obviously is a penny pincher so let him pay the fee

Mar 11, 2019 03:43 PM
Rainer
417,221
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

Low budget new fangled brokerage?  Don't pay an upfront not refundable fee

Mar 11, 2019 03:17 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

Well, if they contracted you for MLS % minus their fee ( for the lead) after COE, why not? The issue with these companies: the leads are cold and do not care about working with you.

Mar 11, 2019 01:44 PM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Just say NO.

The seller went to a limited service company that wants to charge others for their limited service. Does that make any sense at all?

 

Mar 11, 2019 01:11 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I say stop dealing with nutties..... 

Mar 11, 2019 10:16 AM
Ambassador
3,164,269
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

unless the fee is outragous I'd write the offer and pay it... if it's in the best interest of my client.

Mar 14, 2019 10:36 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Very odd and I would talk to your Broker

Mar 14, 2019 06:48 PM
Rainmaker
4,935,667
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

This is a new one to me.

 

Mar 14, 2019 01:22 PM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Doesn't make sense.

Mar 12, 2019 12:21 PM
Rainmaker
249,105
Denise Copeland
Home Sales Palm Beach - Jupiter, FL
Jupiter Abacoa Sales & Beach Front Luxury Homes

If it's not notated in the MLS, write the offer. If the offer is not presented, I would report them to the board of realtors. Doesn't sound legit. 

Mar 12, 2019 10:11 AM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

 I did write the fee responsibility to be that of the seller. Of course the seller had no idea this was in the listing contract...

Mar 12, 2019 04:52 AM