Special offer
Fred Hafdelin (Weichert Realtors)

Spam prevention
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Fred... you are correct that this should have been addressed before all the documents were signed. I offer a lower commission automatically to any client who does both sides with me this way upfront so that they don't have to ask and I position the offer as something I do "specially" for them. If this is a client who will prove to be a good source of future referrals and/or repeat business, I'd adjust my commission.

Jan 07, 2016 09:53 PM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

"No, we won't be doing that. Do you have questions about anything else?"

Jan 07, 2016 09:15 PM
Rainmaker
450,126
Dana Hollish Hill
Hollish Hill Group, JPAR Stellar Living - Bethesda, MD
REALTOR * Broker * Coach

Would she ask the same of a dentist? Or a doctor?

Okay, maybe she would, but would they discount their prices after services were rendered? 

Stay strong. Some deals move so smoothly that the clients don't understand how much work goes on behind the scenes. 

Jan 07, 2016 09:11 PM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

We can discuss that upfront when you sell your next home.  Any more questions?

Jan 07, 2016 10:47 PM
Rainmaker
1,027,602
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

She hired you to do a job and agreed to the terms.  You are doing your job and there is no reason to adjust terms.  

If you want to offer that "deal" upfront to clients, that's your purview, but I don't react warmly to folks who decide they want me to share my compensation.

Jan 07, 2016 10:08 PM
Rainmaker
628,764
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

They are separate transactions and she is not paying you on the one she is Buying. Does she ask her Dentist to reduce his bill before he drills for a root canal because he just cleaned her teeth?

Jan 07, 2016 09:24 PM
Ambassador
2,178,603
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Stay strong, Fred.  She is totally out of line!  You are a professional.   You did your job.  You should get paid full compensation.  

Jan 07, 2016 09:04 PM
Rainmaker
519,324
Dan Tabit
Keller Williams Bellevue - Sammamish, WA

Fred, 

I would explain it this way.  I've decided to apply a new surcharge to your listing commission.  She will be what, you can't charge me more than we agreed after the fact.  To which you reply, of course you're right and we won't change what we already agreed to either way then.  

If you don't want me to help you buy a home, that's your choice, but we are well underway and you know how good I am at representing you.  

Jan 08, 2016 03:45 AM
Ambassador
1,452,819
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

She has the right to ask just as you have the right to ask for a BONUS for doing double duty and being such a professional throughout 2 different transactions.  She of course has the right to say no, as do you!!

I'd cut her loose after this for fear of her referring friends and family who are just like her

Jan 08, 2016 02:26 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Yes - perfectly fair. and what Buzz Mackintosh said...

Jan 08, 2016 12:30 AM
Rainmaker
655,940
Jeffrey Jones
AZ Home Seekers - San Tan Valley, AZ
AZ Home Seekers, azhomeseekers.com

I think everyone agrees that should have been negotiated up front.

We generally offer multi transaction discounts, and therefore would have had this discussion if we knew she was moving locally. So whats at stake here? Your listing commission is obviously safe? will she not buy through you at this point without some reduction? will she not refer you?

As a business decison we want to value of commissions and want our clients to value us also; but we have to make the best long term decision.

I would tell her I'm keeping full listing commission since the closing costs are deducible for her and offer to credit a portion of the buy transaction commission towards her closing costs. If I ever have to "GIVE" its always on the future transaction to keep them moving forward ; it also shows you negotiating from a position of strength by not renegotiating your previous agreement

Jan 08, 2016 12:07 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Fred,

Yes you are.  One of my clients would answer, you are so lucky to have me working with you!  A

Jan 07, 2016 11:55 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I like the answer by Candice A. Donofrio

Jan 07, 2016 11:40 PM
Rainer
57,189
Jack Gerbehy
Egg Harbor Township, NJ

I like Nina Hollander responce as a way to do things going forward....

Jan 07, 2016 11:05 PM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Fred Hafdelin I agree, it should have been discussed during the listing appointment. Since you are doing twice as much work, you deserve the fee as agreed upon in the listing agreement. Company policy to not reduce the fee after the fact.

Jan 07, 2016 11:00 PM
Rainer
74,457
Michael Scruggs
UTR Texas-Realtors - Houston, TX
ABR, CNE, TAHS

You are absolutely correct.  Once she has signed the listing agreement, she is obligated to the terms of the agreement.

Jan 07, 2016 09:47 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,291
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Of course, for some reason she feels you are making more money than she imagined even though you're job is just started. You've got at least a month to close right? 

She signed a contract & you both will honor it.

Jan 07, 2016 09:34 PM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Unless it addressed in a listing agreement or buyer rep agreement I would tell her it's not going to happen.  The better question Is she being fair?

Jan 07, 2016 09:26 PM
Rainmaker
823,579
Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL

I know that I will be in the minority here, but I think it is a fair request based on her loyalty to you and your services. Should she have asked early on, absolutely, but maybe she didn't realize that you would do as much for her as she initially thought. Unfortunately, I think that if you don't do something to "value" her relationship with you, it might leave a negative feeling down the road.

Jan 07, 2016 09:15 PM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

It's too late ! Buy her a Gift card to Ollies .

Jan 07, 2016 09:03 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Yes. the time to negotiate, is before signing the agreement! 

Jan 07, 2016 09:02 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

THE AMBUSH!

It is always lurking.

Here dear seller is the potential cost to you for failing to execute a contract. There could be eight transactions in jeopardy for which this seller may be held accountable.

With the straightest face possible, say, "Nancy Regan provided the answer to your request. I like it a lot. NO."

Now, it is important that you recall the meet up where you had THE TALK and compensation was discussed and agreement signed. 

We had THIS discussion then. This issue is settled.

When seller agrees, then you can say, "Here is what I can do......"

Jan 07, 2016 08:57 PM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

I would say so as long as you explained the contract to her.

Jan 07, 2016 08:45 PM
Ambassador
5,049,183
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

NOt in this case - it should have been addressed up front

I follow what Nina Hollander  does - it makes sense

Feb 07, 2016 10:36 AM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Fred - I think Jeffrey Jones said it pretty well. I believe that many agents offer some sort of discount if they are helping a client sell a home and purchase another at the same time. This client probably heard about that from someone, didn't know previously, and now doesn't want what others typically get when selling and buying a new home consecutively.

If you never offer a discount when handling the sale and concurrent purchase with a client, then stick to your guns. If you typically offer a discount, then offer this client something.

Jan 09, 2016 02:06 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,544
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I had that very same thing, and gave them a discount on the sale of their home.  No further reduction will happen.

Jan 08, 2016 11:36 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Fred Hafdelin I think she is already under contract and we can't change the rules of the game when the game is already on!

Jan 08, 2016 03:33 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Why is it that people don't think we deserve to get paid for what we do. 

Jan 08, 2016 10:53 AM
Ambassador
2,161,048
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

I would not change the commission on the listing.  It was negotiated and agreed upon.  Regarding the seller buying a home, this transaction isn't a sure thing, I might consider a small rebate at time of closing or a home warranty if it goes through. 

Jan 08, 2016 10:44 AM
Rainer
67,369
Evelyn M Epperson
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Johns Creek, GA
A Tradition Of [Excellence, Trust & Service]

Yes you are being fair.  If she did not want you to make 2 commission off of her she should have mentioned it at the listing appointment.  Good Luck!

Jan 08, 2016 08:43 AM
Rainmaker
617,935
David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation
Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

Fred,
Snarky answer ahead, ask her which transaction she wants to not close because if you are only going to get paid for working one transaction the other is going to fall through.

Jan 08, 2016 08:39 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Absolutely yes you are being fair and honoring the agreement she signed. 

Jan 08, 2016 05:23 AM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Ask her what part of her salary she would like to refund to her employer.

Jan 08, 2016 04:19 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Yes, I think you are.  

Jan 08, 2016 04:07 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Absolutely...people like these try this  the time...if something comes up on her home that requires her to pay she will try and squirm her way out of it.   These  separate  deals that have separate liabilities.  

Jan 08, 2016 02:41 AM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

You  sold her house and worked hard on that.

You helped her buy a house and worked hard at that,

2 transactions, 2 commissions.  You earned both,

I remember one of my very first transactions, ( 25 years ago) I had a buyer who tried to squeeze some money out of the seller at the closing table. Seller said "No",  

The buyer then asked me to step outside into the hall...he stuck his finger in my face and said "you need to cut your commission, or I won't close!" . 

Really? (of course he closed...without my money)

I simply do not cut commission for any reason and have never had a deal go south because I won't contribute.  Buyers and seller will always work it out.

If agents did what other professionals do...never discount services...the consumer would stop asking.

Eve

 

 

 

Jan 08, 2016 02:37 AM
Rainer
274,059
Curtis Evans
Cabin Realty LLC/ USA, Licensed in Louisiana - Golden Meadow, LA

Nina Hollander nailed this on !!

Jan 08, 2016 01:50 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Yes, you are being quite fair.  It is unreasonable for her to request this, period.  She probably got the commission instructions and choked.  That's usually when people pull stuff like this.  There might be a way to address this without reducing your commission, but if you want to that is up to you.

Jan 08, 2016 01:45 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

you're right....  the answer is NO on that one...

Jan 08, 2016 01:17 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

The average aware person at some point would see this and mention it... so I have no trouble with her sound thinking. Give her $500, take her lunch or a nice gift and she will have closure or explain each hole being dug comes with its own labor

Jan 07, 2016 10:55 PM
Rainmaker
1,661,936
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Absolutely not!  Would she like to work for a cheaper pay rate on her job?

Jan 07, 2016 10:48 PM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Presumably the Purchase and Sale Agreement as well as the Buyer Representation Agreement that were signed by both parties clearly addresses the issue.

Jan 07, 2016 10:47 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

She should have discussed it at the time of signing the listing contract. 

Jan 07, 2016 10:17 PM
Rainmaker
4,333,761
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Definitely should have been discussed at the beginning. Would she ask this of any other Professional?

Jan 07, 2016 10:05 PM
Rainmaker
5,005,642
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

This buyers timing isn't right as this should have been addressed at time of listing her home. Did you discuss you would be finding her another home and representing her? What do you normally do for clients when selling their home and finding another one? I know what my Broker would say..What is the right thing to do?

Jan 07, 2016 10:02 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

It should have been negotiated before she signed. If it happens i explain how the break down of fees works and why it is too late to negotiate that now. 1 fee is for specific duty of selling the other is for teh duty of buying, together in the same client, but yet oh so different, 

Jan 07, 2016 09:59 PM
Rainmaker
969,888
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

Not much to say here but commissions are negotiable as long as they are negotiated before any transaction is conducted. 

Jan 07, 2016 09:17 PM
Rainmaker
556,536
Greg Cremia
Shore Realty of the Outer Banks - Nags Head, NC

 a

Jan 07, 2016 09:05 PM