Eugene, OR · Member since 2018 · 13 posts · 5 votes
Hello all.
Several of the properties we are looking at are owner-listed. Our options seem to be checking if they'll work with a buyer's broker, or for me to pay the sales commission fee.
Beyond adjusting the offer/rolling the commission into my calculations, I'm curious if anyone has strategies for approaching owner-listed properties with a buyer agent.
Real Estate Investor · Springfield, OR · Member since 2013 · 94 posts · 35 votes
7y
Your broker needs to be paid one way or the other. And you need to not overpay for the property. Often FSBO properties are overpriced, which means you'll be negotiating on the price anyway. Part of that negotiation will be for them to pay your broker, or simply lower the price enough for you to pay your broker directly.
Some FSBO sellers have an allergic reaction to buyer brokers, in which case you may offer to work with directly, without having your broker between you and them. Then, just have your broker review every document that is produced and give you advice at every step of the transaction, and pay your broker yourself. Your broker will most likely be just fine with this arrangement, if that's what it takes to get the seller to work with you.
And remember, a FSBO price should in theory be a few percent lower than an MLS price, because it is not accounting for any brokers being paid.