Selling agent refuses to submit offer unless I pay them 3% buyer fee

[Chris Dee]

Hi All,

I contacted the seller agent for a property I found on Zillow. The selling broker sent a buyer agent to show the property. I assumed this was the way they handle dual agency.  I made an offer and they verbally got it accepted by seller. When it was time to send me the buy sell agreement they tried to sneak in an Exclusive Buyer Agent agreement that commits us to pay them 3% buyer fee for any house in the state  that we buy for 6 months. I was shocked because I repeatedly told them we don't want them as our buyer agents. I said it was fine to be buyer agent on this specific property because we were dealing with a dual agency situation. When I told them we won't pay buyer fee they ignored our emails and never sent docs to sign for the offer that the seller already verbally confirmed.  I was emailing directly with the broker and I know this behavior is broker approved and mandated. So, I know what they did is unethical and they are required to submit all offers.  However, did they break the law? Also, what should I do from this point forward? I know who the sellers are and can contact them directly?

Thank you much,

Christina 

[Russell Brazil]

Quote from @Chris Dee:

Hi All,

I contacted the seller agent for a property I found on Zillow. The selling broker sent a buyer agent to show the property. I assumed this was the way they handle dual agency.  I made an offer and they verbally got it accepted by seller. When it was time to send me the buy sell agreement they tried to sneak in an Exclusive Buyer Agent agreement that commits us to pay them 3% buyer fee for any house in the state  that we buy for 6 months. I was shocked because I repeatedly told them we don't want them as our buyer agents. I said it was fine to be buyer agent on this specific property because we were dealing with a dual agency situation. When I told them we won't pay buyer fee they ignored our emails and never sent docs to sign for the offer that the seller already verbally confirmed.  I was emailing directly with the broker and I know this behavior is broker approved and mandated. So, I know what they did is unethical and they are required to submit all offers.  However, did they break the law? Also, what should I do from this point forward? I know who the sellers are and can contact them directly?

Thank you much,

Christina 

 They are not obligated to represent you. It isnt slavery. You're free to hire or not hire any agent you want, and any agent is free to work with you, or not work with you of you dont pay their fees. They dont work for free. 

So you can hire an agent that costs less of you want, has different representation terms....or you dont have to hire anyone and can represent yourself.