I am closing a deal today and I received a call from the escrow officer telling me about errors on the sellers side. Then I was asked to give up my commission to pay the sellers outstanding utility bills ($3000). First, I was surprised to receive a call from the Escrow Officer about something the listing agent should of tried to negotiate with me. Next... the listing agent did not get all of the concessions of the primary lien holder in writing. So Escrow in the eleventh hour received calls and data from the primary lien holder with about 600.00 in new charges to the sale of the property. Now the listing agent is calling me asking me to pay out my commission for them not doing the basic of due diligence, GETTING EVERYTHING IN WRITING! What is the lesson in my rant?

1. If you are representing a Short Sale and the clock is ticking to the auction date, and another agent brings you a deal that is acceptable, Do not go asking the buyers agent for insane commission compromise to make up for your clients mistakes. The buyers agent is bringing the money to the table, be thankful. Especially when there are so few qualified buyers. 

2. Have a file with all outstanding liens on the property, and a HUD prepared for what the lien holders will recieve at pay out. The house is a foreclosure short sale, the owners aren't paying the utility bill's. These bill's will need to be paid at closing, the bank needs to know those numbers or their payout will be short. Then you have no deal.

3. Over all do not bite the hand that is trying to feed you.

4. Know the listing agent is making 0.00 dollars on this deal, because of them not having their ducks in a row.