Working w/realtor vs "by owner" rental ads (for sale, leasing)

[unionjack007]

Hi,

I am currently working with a realtor in my rental home search. I've looked at a couple of houses listed on MLS as for sale and/or for rent.

I've also come across some non-MLS listed houses for rent (militarybyowner.com).

My question: Am I legally or ethically obligated to include my realtor in viewing or potentially leasing those non-MLS type properties?

Thanks.

[ACWhite]

Hi, did you sign a written contract with the Realtor?

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by unionjack007

Hi,

I am currently working with a realtor in my rental home search. I've looked at a couple of houses listed on MLS as for sale and/or for rent.

I've also come across some non-MLS listed houses for rent (militarybyowner.com).

My question: Am I legally or ethically obligated to include my realtor in viewing or potentially leasing those non-MLS type properties?

Thanks.

Naw, just go there, read over the contract and sign.

[unionjack007]

To answer the question in the first reply, no. Just verbally agreed to work with the realtor to find a rental house.

I am not trying to deprive the realtor of his due compensation, but I'm doing all the leg work by going to the realty agency websites, realtor.com, byowner.com websites and asking the realtor to set up appts to view them.

If a listing is directly with the owner and I found it w/o the realtor, I'm wondering is the realtor entitled to compensation?

[tamitrail]

Legally, if you went on your own and the realtor had nothing to do with it at all and you didn't sign anything...you really don't owe the realtor anything. BUT you asked about ethicially also: if you verbally agreed to work with the realtor, I would think you would want to stick to your word. Change roles and think about how you would feel.