Buying a home and have contract w/ realtor that is almost expired?

Question

If I look at a home on my own without the realtor and dont make an offer on the home until after the contract is over, am I legally obligated to pay the realtor if the home was never shown to me by them?

Answer 1

Depends on the language contained in your buyer agency agreement, if you have signed one. Buyer agency can be very encompassing, and you may find yourself owing a commission, even if the agent involved had nothing to do with the house which you eventually purchased.

You are advised to carefully read the language of any contract which you may have signed.

Answer 2

You could be treading legal thin ice. If you first saw the home while under contract with your realtor you could still owe the commission.

That said, the realtor would have to know that you first saw the home while still under contract and would have pursue you to get the $.

Legal and moral issues are different. Was your realtor really helpful? Did they show you a ton of places and really try hard to meet your needs? If they did those things then you morally owe them the commission. If they did a poor job for you just terminate the contract (fire them). Then look at and offer to purchase the other house.

Yes, sellers generally pay the real estate commission, but I suspect this home is a FSBO where no agent would be getting a commission. If it is a house listed with an agent, why do you care if your seller's commission goes to the listing agent alone or your agent and the selling agent (split)?

good luck!

Answer 3

What kind of contract did you sign?

You don't pay a realtor to find you a house. The seller pays your realtor.

Answer 4

if you do not have a buyer agent agreement, you owe nothing.

If you have a buyer agent agreement, read it. Even if you find a house WITHOUT them, you owe them.

Answer 5

nope.