Special offer
Mona Gersky, GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate. (MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC)

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Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

No. It could temp agents to steer potential buyers to that house. Usually broker approval is needed for agents to accept bonuses. If a seller thinks offering a bonus will attract more buyers, i prefer that they just raise the commission to 6.5% and offer 3.5% to buyers agent. Or use that bonus money to pay for some advertising.

Aug 25, 2015 01:20 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Hell no.... they shout out desperation.... a buyer's agent wants a commission as much as the listing agent wants to sell the home.... there will be a sale if the buyer wants the home....even if it's a "short commisssion"....the buyer's agent won't be happy, but they'll do it....why pay extra.... it's coming out of your pocket....

Aug 25, 2015 12:58 AM
Ambassador
1,452,669
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

In the past, I've had clients take advantage of "Decorating Bonus" when choosing between 2 homes.  I dislike the bonus that goes to the Agent though and feel that should stop.

Aug 25, 2015 12:51 AM
Rainmaker
1,661,836
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

I am against them.  Drop the price what the bonus would be and get a buyer.

Aug 25, 2015 01:44 AM
Rainmaker
443,220
Cindy Davis
SD Home Source Realty - San Diego, CA

The big answer is probably not. Yet I am reminded of a time when the condo conversion craze was going on. A developer was offering a $2,000 gift certificate at a high end shopping center. I worked my butt off to sell that complex and finally did. I went on a fun shopping spree and bought my Mom her first Armani jacket for Mothe's Day. She was so very thrilled.

Aug 25, 2015 01:15 AM
Rainmaker
4,571,806
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

I don't think so.  

Aug 25, 2015 12:59 AM
Rainmaker
2,362,584
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I increased showings with a seller bonus 

Aug 25, 2015 12:51 AM
Rainmaker
784,786
The Woodland Team of Texas
The Woodland Companies - Austin, TX
Land Specialists

I think that they get agent's attention, but it is the buyers who buy.

Nov 29, 2018 12:56 AM
Ambassador
6,392,899
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I dont think so,

Jun 05, 2018 09:42 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,896
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Jeff Pearl Got it correct!

Aug 25, 2015 07:54 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

I have never sought them out and conversely have been asked why I showed certain other comparable properties with lesser commissions. That being said when they're there I don't refuse the perk but I don't seek them as I have seen too many other agents fall prey to their lure exclusively. I do not see it as a good business practice.

Aug 25, 2015 06:57 AM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

I don't encourage clients to offer them. Lower the price instead.

Aug 25, 2015 05:27 AM
Rainmaker
699,277
Chris and Dick Dovorany
Homes for Sale in Naples, Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida - Naples, FL
Broker/Associate at Premiere Plus Realty

Seller bonus's in this market do not work but in a slow market 1/2 percentage more on commission does.  Reversely the agent who offers less commission will only see their property shown by newer agents.

Aug 25, 2015 05:13 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Just my opinion, but I'm sure some agents will notice and try to push a deal.  Though, these are typically the desperate ones.  The bonus would be better spent either to fix up the home or to lower the listing price.

Aug 25, 2015 04:13 AM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

Anytime I sell one of my own properties, I put either a bonus or higher commission or both.

I always sell quickly with a higher than average sales price.

Face it, agents are greedy...there will be more showings.

Eve

 

Aug 25, 2015 04:05 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,372
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

We have a Seller's market and do not need to do this, but even when the market was more stable, did not work.

Aug 25, 2015 03:35 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Mona Gersky I believe agent bonuses are old school and don't work anymore.

Aug 25, 2015 02:45 AM
Rainmaker
657,208
Martin E. Kalisker, Esq.
Natick, MA
Real Estate Law From A Practical Perspective

Bonuses belong to the broker, not the agent.  So the question is: how do you "split" a car or a $100 gift card at the Spaghetti Factory?  Bonuses are also reportable as 1099 income for independent contractors, so I'd rather take a higher commission from the list agent and keep everything above board on the HUD-1 (or new Closing Disclosure)

Aug 25, 2015 02:31 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Only if the home gets sold; it seems that it is a fad making a comeback here and it does not seem to be working. They should just adjust the price to where it should be!

Aug 25, 2015 02:22 AM
Rainmaker
7,835,272
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Much depends upon the current market conditions. A commission bonus will motivate some agents to show a property.

Paying for some or all of the closing costs is a major incentive for many buyers.

Aug 25, 2015 12:54 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Mona Gersky it's a good idea to reflect this bonus in price!

Now when you talk about Zillow, Seller Bonus to Buyers may put your listing slightly up in list - and may have more hits. (Though not sure if this feature still exists on Zillow.)

Aug 26, 2015 01:21 PM
Ambassador
3,164,119
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

when I have a seller suggest an agent bonus I always try to make it be a buyer credit we advertise instead.

Aug 25, 2015 10:13 AM
Rainmaker
269,783
Janice Zaltman
United Realty Group - Boca Raton, FL
Energy Efficient And Eco-Friendly Homes in Florida

Only as a last resort.  I think the property being priced correctly is the most important draw. 

Aug 25, 2015 10:10 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

personally I would rather do a price reduction. To me it is all about the buyer not the agent.

Aug 25, 2015 09:21 AM
Rainmaker
900,008
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

I think they are automatically viewed as a price discount.

Aug 25, 2015 08:58 AM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I don't like them and offering them. When I see a seller offering a bonus, I think they are desperate to sell. I don't look for properties with a bonus. I'm working for my clients to find a home that will be what they want, not to sell a house with a higher paycheck. 

Aug 25, 2015 08:53 AM
Rainmaker
763,783
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

Mona, are you referring to offering a buyer or buyer's agent an incentive to get into escrow or an incentive to get a seller to list with  you? 

Aug 25, 2015 06:36 AM