Question on ethics.. or not.

[Chris Masons]

Hi guys,

I have a question on whether or not this is an ethical practice or not. I put in an offer through a listing agent on a 2 family I liked. The offer was turned down and sellers say they will not budge. We are roughly 20k apart.

I see that the listing is due to expire with the realtor in a week. Owners mentioned they may take it off the market for awhile as well.

So can you guys see where I am going with this yet?? Is it a common practice for buyers to pursue sellers after their listing has expired and they are no longer UC with any realtor?

With the realtor commission out of picture I Am pretty sure the sellers would take my offer as the commission is ~ 22k

Does this kind of transaction happen often? And if it does or doesn't does ethics come into play here? YEs, the LA originally showed me the house so does that obliagte the seller to still pay a commission if I end of buying the house later down the road while the house is not listed?

I Am curious to hear discussions and or advice on this topic.

Just to be clear I am not advocating going to the owners and telling them " do not renew with Realtor let contract expire and I will buy from you then" this is a scnario wqhere the owners have not renewed by their own decision at this point.

thx in advance!!

Chris

[Rob K.]

It's called a "protection period". Most good agents will put 180 days in the contract. Everything is negotiable, of course. Maybe the seller got a shorter time, but most aren't that savvy.