In the current buyer's market I more frequently come upon listings that offer a selling bonus for the agent who brings an acceptable offer. Now what does that imply about real estate agents???
It implies that, motivated by extra money, agents will bring buyers to a listing they might otherwise not have shown. Additionally, since the bonus only applies to an accepted offer, agents might actually put influence on their buyers.
Here is where it could get really ugly: Tasked by relocating buyers to put together a tour of homes, an agent might purposely arrange the tour to include homes that are all lacking compared to the "bonus" property, which he/she will show as the last home on tour.
Has this ever happened? I'm a positively optimistic person and will say "NO WAY!"
But the mere fact that this scenario could be thus interpreted, muddies the waters of Realtor ethics.
Why would sellers not offer a Buyer Bonus instead, or lower the price of the home?
Some Realtors see nothing wrong with accepting a bonus, as long as they feel they really didn't steer.
Some Realtors might disclose the bonus just to be up front.
Some might even split it with the buyers.
I'm uncomfortable with the idea of an agent bonus and would pass the entire thing on to my buyers to avoid any negative implications. To me it's like a hot issue I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole. I really wish the Association of Realtors would take a stance on the subject and provide some uniform guidelines.
Sandy Nelson
Realtor for Olympia area real estate
www.sandynelsonrealestate.com
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