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Selling Bonuses Can Create Ethical Gray Area For Agents

By
Real Estate Agent with www.ExploreBeaufortRealEstate.com (Ballenger Realty) 27941

I had a discussion recently with a seller who wanted to add a selling bonus to the listing agent. I advised against it.

Firstly, in 15 years as a licensed South Carolina Realtor, I have found selling bonuses to be ineffective tools for my sellers. If a buyer's agent has a client for my home or land listing, then in theory that agent will show my property.

Secondly, I think selling bonuses can present some shaky ethical ground for buyer's agents. The very nature of our fiducary responsibilities is to put the interest of our clients above all else.

What does a selling bonus do but try and entice us as agents to put our (as Realtors) our own financial interest above the interest of our buyers?

Am I wrong in this thinking?

Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

You are raising a very good question - Here in maryland, the agent must disclose whether there is a bonus -  I always thought that is an uncomfortable conversation to be having with your client - I am glad most sellers don't offer a bonus here. 

Nov 09, 2014 10:41 AM