If we’ve entered into an “Exclusive Right to Sell” Listing with an agent to sell our Olathe home, but we found buyers ourselves, is it reasonable to expect the Realtor to accept a reduced commission on the sale?

Question: If we’ve entered into an “Exclusive Right to Sell” Listing with an agent to sell our Olathe home, but we found buyers ourselves, is it reasonable to expect the Realtor to accept a reduced commission on the sale? If the Realtor is not amenable to this idea, is it reasonable for us to deny him the opportunity to be our buying agent, or to demand that he accept reduced commission for such?
–James T. from Olathe, Kansas

Answer: With an exclusive agency it doesn’t matter where the home buyer comes from. You must agree to the terms in the signed contract unless it is amendable. Real estate contracts are not amendable by only one party. Both or all parties need to agree to changes in writing. It’s important to remember that one of the primary reasons that you are hiring a Realtor is for their knowledge of the process and guidance to the settlement table. Prior to the home going into the MLS, your REALTOR has helped established a list price, helped prepare your home for sale and started the marketing. 


Your Realtor shouldn’t be faulted for not bringing a Buyer within the first 30 seconds of you deciding to sell your house. Are you certain this is the best possible offer? Remember that the terms are just important as the sales price.  Have you verified the Buyer’s pre-qualifications? Is the buyer really qualified? 


What if there is a defect with the title? What if the inspections turn up a big issue? Are you comfortable with handling all of these hiccups? It is rarely in your best interest for your listing real estate agent to bring in their own Buyer. They will no longer be able to look out for your best interests. I’ve often told my home seller that getting the home buyer's offer is the easy part these days. The real work starts with negotiations and closing the real estate contract. That’s where having a real estate agent truly make a difference. 


As a home seller you are looking at a small portion of the transaction. Remember all of the other elements of your move. Selling and buying.


RE/MAX sells more homes than any other real estate company.
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