The agent said "she's my client... I showed her the house at my open house, so I'm procuring cause!"
The client had attended her open house, and yes, the agent had walked her through the house. But that does not, in and of itself, create a Realtor/Client relationship... and it certainly does not create procuring cause!
When explained to the listing agent, she backed down pretty quickly... but then insisted on a 25% referral fee. Now, you might think 25% sounds reasonable given the circumstances... until you realize SHE was the one offering to pay a 25% referral fee!
Nu-uh, not gonna happen, wouldn't be prudent.
Procuring Cause is an uninterrupted chain of events that leads to a purchase. Procuring cause is not, as many agents believe, the agent who walked them across the threshold of the house. I am the one who suggested that the client take a look at that house, during the open house... which is generally considered "no-man's-land". Yes, agents use it to try to attract new buyer/clients.... and some agents will glom on to an unattached buyer.
This buyer, when the listing agent asked if she had an agent said: "Yes, I'm working with XXXX, of Coldwell Banker". The best part is that this buyer doesn't even like that house, and will not be writing an offer on it.
There will be no referral fee, of any kind. None, nada, zip.
Comments(14)