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I've been working with a realtor to find a new home to rent, without much luck. If I end up finding one through Craigslist or something, and the owner isn't willing to pay the realtor's commission ($500), am I obligated to do so myself? Or do I say thank you and bake him some cookies, or do I just stop looking on my own and hope for the best in this tight market?
I've been working with a realtor to find a new home to rent, without much luck. If I end up finding one through Craigslist or something, and the owner isn't willing to pay the realtor's commission ($500), am I obligated to do so myself? Or do I say thank you and bake him some cookies, or do I just stop looking on my own and hope for the best in this tight market?
What contract did you sign with the Realtor? I think for renters usually the realtor has a listing agreement with the landlord and you don't have to worry about it. I doubt the landlord will pay the realtor's commission.
I've been working with a realtor to find a new home to rent, without much luck. If I end up finding one through Craigslist or something, and the owner isn't willing to pay the realtor's commission ($500), am I obligated to do so myself? Or do I say thank you and bake him some cookies, or do I just stop looking on my own and hope for the best in this tight market?
Take your Realtor with you, tell the owner you are paying the Realtor yourself, and pay him/her their commission yourself. The advice you get could be very well worth it and you will have been loyal to someone who has been working for you. Never burn your bridges.
If the realtor has been very helpful and you have promised to pay than it should be that you keep your word. If you didn't agree on it than it is a different thing.
The realtor can also look if the lease contract that you have to sign will be in your best interest...
If the realtor doesn't find you a house, don't pay them. If I sign a contract for someone to put a new roof on or pave a driveway, I'm not going to pay them if I end up doing it myself..
If you have no contract but the Realtor has put in time for you, I would give them a reasonable amount of money, maybe not a full commission, but at least slip them $100, AND the cookies. They will remember you the next time, or when you are ready to buy and they have a sleeper pocket listing.
No contract, just lots of time. I want to feel like a decent person.
One other possibility is you could have the agent approach the landlord and say I have client that wants your apt blah blah, my fee is $xx. See if the landlord is agreeable. If not you can approach the landlord yourself and pay your realtor whatever. If he is then the realtor will get paid.
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