Referral fee from realtor?

[Joe Doman]

Hello, new(ish) investor here,

If I am working with a potential seller for a buy and hold property and cannot agree on a price, could I refer them to a real estate agent? If they close on the deal with the agent, could I collect a fee?? –assuming the seller does not already have an agent.

Do people do this? What is a typical fee you can charge? –is it legal/ethical?

[Steve Vaughan]

Like @Wayne Brooks states, most likely not legal. I am trying to work with an ABR now where he will refer me his almosts. Buyer's that can't quite qualify but would be perfect tenant buyers for my lease option properties. Can't pay an agent per se (or a mortgage person, attorney, etc) but we are discussing our favorite places to shop where giftcards on the sidewalk may be found. It's a tricky thing, but with good reason. Can you imagine if we were all going around buying referrals, potentially tossing our judiciary responsibilities out the window?

Maybe tell your agent friend where you shop, or see if they can pull comps for you from time to time. Something of that nature.  Good question @Joe Doman.  I have referred many a seller to agents over the years. Last year I got baked goods at Christmas!