SHOULD YOU TAKE IT?

Here's an ethical dilemma that a follower requested we tackle…

Imagine you were shown a property by another broker while searching for listings with a client. The client didn’t like the property, and months passed. Later, the owner of that property contacts you, impressed by your social media presence, and asks if you could list the property. You inform the owner that you had previously seen the property through another broker and couldn’t accept it. Despite this, the owner insists that you take the listing.

Should you or can you accept the listing or not?

Option 1: No, you should reject the listing.

Option 2: Yes, you can accept the listing.

Option 3: It depends...

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The poll results are in! Can you take on a listing you've seen through another broker?

56% said it depends.

33% said yes.

11% said no.

These results highlight that most people have conditions before taking on such a property.

Here's my perspective...

The answer may vary depending on your role. For instance, if you're the original broker, you might view accepting the listing as unethical. But if you're the other broker, you might argue that the seller ultimately decides who to work with, as long as no broker holds exclusivity.

I've encountered this situation several times, experiencing both sides of the story. As the original listing broker, I don't have the right to be upset with the other broker for accepting the listing—though I admit, it feels disheartening—unless the other broker actively solicits the owner to obtain the listing. You'll eventually identify brokers known for this practice.

As the other broker, I typically refuse to accept the listing and inform the owner that if I ever have a client for the property, I would go through the original listing broker. If the owner insists on listing with me, I require them to cancel their agreement with the original broker first.

That's just me.