In this solo video, realtor Sander Scott explains that whether a seller must accept a full‑price offer depends on the specific language in their listing agreement. He outlines how many agreements require the seller to pay the agent’s commission or reimburse marketing costs even if a full‑price offer is refused. Scott discusses why brokers include such clauses: they reinforce the seller’s seriousness, add credibility compared to for‑sale‑by‑owner listings, and can protect the agent’s marketing investment. He emphasizes that in a hot seller’s market—specifically the greater Traverse City, Michigan area—homes priced correctly often sell above asking, so a clause obligating payment on a full‑price offer should influence the seller to price toward the higher end of the range. He advises sellers to review their contracts, consult their agent for clarification, and consider pricing strategy accordingly. The video ends with a call to action to like, comment, subscribe, and a plug for another video on pricing strategy.
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The idea that you would have to accept a full price offer in this market is actually a very bad thing. If I refuse a full price offer, do I have to pay my real estate agent any fees? Well, whether you have to pay your real estate agent any fees after refusing a full price offer depends on the terms of the listing agreement. Almost any document or agreement, contract, etc. If you have a question about what happens, you need to refer back to that document. In most cases, if you refuse a full price offer that meets the terms outlined in your listing agreement, you may still be responsible for paying your agent's commission. However, it's essential to review the specific terms of your agreement with your real estate agent to understand any potential financial obligations in such situations. If you're uncertain about it, It's best to consult directly with your agent for clarification. Okay, so why would brokerages or agents put something in the listing agreement that would bind a seller in that way, that if you're offered a full price, do you have to accept it or something along those lines? Well, number one, it actually works to your advantage as a seller. One of the things that really plagues for sale by owners is that it's really a mystery to many buyers about whether they're actually serious about selling it or not. I can tell you that as I'm working with buyers, I'm aggressively looking for any property that's available. So I don't just look for my buyers on the MLS. I'm also reviewing for sale by owner properties. And I am amazed at how many for sale by owners, when I go to them, they're like, well, I really haven't decided whether I want to sell or not. And of course, that begs the question, well then, if you haven't really decided yet, why have you started to put your property up for sale on Zillow as a for sale by owner? And inevitably their answer to me is, well, I just threw a price out there and if somebody is willing to pay me a ridiculous amount, I'll take it and figure it out. So anyway, as a seller who's actually serious about selling your home, engaging an agent really adds that kind of credibility because it is assumed on the part of buyers that you are more serious about selling the home than what they've encountered perhaps in the for sale by owner market. So it's not necessarily a bad thing that something's written in there, but I can tell you really in my experience as an agent, especially in this really hot market that we're experiencing locally where I do most of my business, which is in the greater Traverse City area in Traverse City, Michigan, the idea that you would have to accept a full price offer in this market is actually a very bad thing because if homes are priced right in this great, great seller's market, it should go above asking price. So that's one thing that, that if you're experiencing a situation with your agent where there's contract language that you have to pay for a full price offer, then that should influence your pricing strategy at that point. So that's why it's really important to work with agents who, you know, like and trust. And the third one is, is the most important, that you can trust them. So again, if you review a listing agreement and it says in there that you're obligated to pay commissions, you're obligated to either— maybe sometimes it says in there that you have to reimburse the agent for their marketing costs if you're presented with a full price offer and you refuse. If it's written in there, you still want to go with that agent, then that should influence your pricing strategy. And rather than pricing to the lower end of the range to start with,, you might want to price to the higher end of the range. And if you have more questions about pricing strategy, you're going to want to check out my other video that has to do with all of the details about formulating a pricing strategy at the outset and what should really influence your decisions around that as a seller. All right. There you go. I'm Sander Scott, your full-service realtor. And hey, if you got something out of this video, Leave me a like, leave me a comment, and hey, don't forget to subscribe to my channel. Thanks so much. I'm Sander Scott, your full-service realtor.
