If a listing agent shows me a place can I make an offer with another agent?

Question

prefer answers from someone in the real estate business

Answer 1

It all depends on whether you are in a contract with the listing agent. Usually you should be able to and not have to pay 2 commissions, the listing and selling broker will split the commission. Plus the seller is the one that usually pays the commission fee anyway. I would make sure that you aren't in a exclusive agency before contacting an outside broker though.

Answer 2

Of course you can.........HOWEVER, the reaction you get from the 2nd agent when you inform them another agent has shown you the home you chose will tell you loads about their character. Personality differences and other reasons come up all the time in the real estate business, so it's understandable that these situations occur from time to time. If I was in the place of the 2nd agent, I would first ask if you had been working with any other agents and advise you that I needed to know which properties you had already seen. I would contact the listing agent myself, even if you had already talked it over with them. In most cases, since everything is in the open, an agreement can be met between the offices involved. Just think "Golden Rule"

Answer 3

It depends on the real estate arrangements and rules in your state or area. In my particular state, the agent who first 'introduces you to the property' gains what we call 'procuring cause', and is entitled to the commission. If you write with another agent, particularly if that second agent is a contracted buyer's agent, you would owe two commissions.

Check with the second agent you wish to use regarding the policies in your area. Let him/her know that you have already looked at the property with the listing agent. The second agent will know in what method to proceed.

Answer 4

Of course you can, however you may end up owing a commission to both agents.