Double Ending a Deal

[Michael M.]

I want to flip my first SFH, I've mostly been making offers on houses on the MLS. I am using an agent, and we have a pretty good relationship. I am thinking of asking him if he will let the listing agent double end the deal, and then we will kick him a bonus from the profit we make on the flip. I don't want to approach the listing agent directly, as I don't want to hurt the relationship with my agent, and I think that is shady. He would still get to list and sell the house once the flip is complete.

I feel as this will make our lower offers more enticing for the listing agent since they will be making the full commission, and hopefully push the seller to accept. Any advice would be great, as I don't want to go behind my agents back but I also don't want to offend him by asking to give up his commission. Thanks in advance for any advice!

[Russell Brazil]

You are operating under the assumption that all of the listing agents are unethical, and will steer their sellers into worse deals so they can make more money for themselves.  Does that happen? Sure.  But 90% of the entire market is controlled by agents not only in the top 1% of their profession...but they also happen to be in the top 1% of income earners in the country.  So how many people do you think realistically that are making $400k plus, are going to risk a business that pays them that much to commit fraud to make an extra $5k? Some sure....but not nearly as many as you think.