So my sellers ask me...SHOULD we offer an agent bonus?? You know, I'm in the middle with this one. What does that exactly do? As a listing agent, I certainly want someone to bring a buyer to the table, and I suppose, if offering a bonus will do it...sure. As a buyers agent, I sure would like to make some extra money, Lord knows with this slow market, that would be nice.. I wish is was that easy for me to rationalize it in my brain. As a listing agent why am I offering a "bonus" is that equal to a bribe? There are so many homes on the market, am I encouraging an agent to direct people to my listing because there is a bonus? As a buyers agent, I do see many homes with bonuses, as I am weeding out homes to look at, say bringing it down from 30 to 15 homes to take my buyers to...is the fact that there is a bonus, help me decide to take my people to that one as opposed to another....Is it better to just take the money off the price or offer a bonus??
6 Comments on Agent Bonus...Is it Ethical??
I have always thought that the Bonus to the agent was a bad idea. It cost's the Buyer and Seller for our own personal gain. It also reinforces in the minds of the clients that real estate agents are just in it for the money.
I personally will ask my Seller to do one of several things.
Lower the price
Offer an amenity like air conditioning for full price offers
Offer a gift certificate at a furniture store. ( who wouldnt like new furniture with there new house )
I am sure you could think of thousands of other great ideas as well.
I think thios opens doors we may not want to go through. A buyers agent would certainly have a problem if their buyer bought this home and found another one that was more affordable in better condition. If everyone is a seller agent thi smay be okay.
Some sellers offer this as they think it will get more showings. I offered this on a property that I owned once and I don't think it changed anything.
You know that is how I feel...and they are all over the place...as much as I would like to make the money I find myself shying away from listings that have bonuses...for that reason, I don't want my clients to think I am in it for the money.
When I see a bonus I say-- "wonder whats wrong with this place" It obvious the seller is desperate and is trying to drive traffic to her property-- maybe if I were representing an investor I would say-- " looks like you can steal this one" Like you Konnie I see the merit-- but wonder if the red flag goes up in other areas.
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Hi...well the title says it all....the Real Estate World from my perspective, Real estate in Haymarket, Gainesville, Bristow, Nokesville, Prince William County, Aldie Virginia, Haymarket Homes VA, Real Estate agent, Prince william county,
Konnie MAC Northern Virginia Real Estate — Konnie Mac - Your Northern Virginia REALtor
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I have always thought that the Bonus to the agent was a bad idea. It cost's the Buyer and Seller for our own personal gain. It also reinforces in the minds of the clients that real estate agents are just in it for the money.
I personally will ask my Seller to do one of several things.
I am sure you could think of thousands of other great ideas as well.