All Forum Posts by: Vlad K.

So I’m making an offer on a place in Pittsburgh, PA and my realtor sent over the purchase agreement and agent contract. I’ve never seen a contract like this (my other property is in OH and my friends have purchased in CA)

It seems like I’m being asked to pay $595 whether or not my offer is accepted. Also, since 3% of the sales price is less than $2000 I will have to pay the difference. Is this normal!?

The contract lays out the following stipulation in regard to the fees:

Broker’s Fee, paid by Buyer to Broker, is as follows

• (a) In a purchase transaction with a seller represented by a real estate broker the fee is 3% of the sales price OR $2000, whichever is greater, AND
• (b) In a purchase transaction with a seller who is not represented by a real estate broker the fee is 3% of the sales price OR $2000
• If the amount received from the listing broker is less than the amount in above, Buyer will pay Broker the difference, unless seller agrees to pay the difference as a term in the agreement of sale.
• $595 of Broker’s Fee is earned and due (non-refundable) at signing of this Buyer Agency Contract.

Thanks!

Good idea. I've reached my threshold for filling out forms for today but maybe I'll give it a shot tomorrow.

I live in California and have a rental out in Ohio. Both this year and last the property has  created a tax loss. Last year I payed an accountant to do my taxes but this year I decided to do them myself. The accountant charged me extra for filing in Ohio. Having just filled out the Ohio tax form on my own I noticed in the instructions that you don't even have to file if your exemption amount is the same as or greater than your Ohio adjusted gross income. Based on my interpretation of the form, if you aren't making money in Ohio your exemption amount will always be the same or higher than your Ohio income (i.e. if you aren't making money in Ohio, you don't have to file in Ohio).  

Was the accountant just charging me for unnecessary work or is there a reason to file if you don't have to? I've already filled out this year's forms so it would be no trouble for me to send them in at this point. Should I do that?