buying property privately after viewing with realtor (real estate, to rent)

[scissorhand]

we viewed a property with a realtor in december, then the woman took it off the market for the winter. her contract ended mid november, but we viewed it mid december. we asked the realtor to feel her out for the lowest price she would accept, but nothing was said. recently the owner came in to where i work, and said it hadn't sold privately, and if we still liked it, we could buy it for $18,000 less, as she wouldn't have to pay the realtor fees. we are now in april, and i really want to buy it, but am worried about doing anything illegal. please could someone advise me?thanks in advance!

[Cornerguy1]

You won't be doing anything illegal.........

You didn't have any contractual obligation with the real estate agent and so owe that person no legal consideration.

It may well be a different story with the property owner, however.

Depending on the exact wording of the listing agreement the owner signed with the agent, the owner may still be on the hook for a commission payment even though the listing period expired. Most contracts have a stipulation that fees will be owed for a certain period of time after the listing expires if the property is sold as a result of the actions of the agent.

The property seller better be very clear of the contract he signed or he may find himself on the wrong end of a civil action.

[scissorhand]

Hi thankyou, we are hoping to rent it for 4 months, as it's empty, so by the time we buy it, it will be 11 months from the the viewing. But the deal all depends on the owner passing on the saving to us, if she will have to pay fees, then we won't be able to pay more for the house to cover that for her!