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Practice Of Real EstateLicense LawHARD

A Massachusetts buyer's agent, Sandra, successfully helps her client purchase a home. The seller's listing agreement provides for a 5% total commission, with 2.5% offered to the cooperating buyer's agent. Sandra's buyer client, however, has also signed a buyer agency agreement promising Sandra a 3% commission. The seller's broker pays Sandra only 2.5%. Under Massachusetts law, which of the following best describes Sandra's options?

Correct Answer

A) Sandra may collect the additional 0.5% directly from her buyer client pursuant to the buyer agency agreement

Under Massachusetts law and 254 CMR 3.00, a buyer's agent may enter into a buyer agency agreement that specifies the compensation the buyer agrees to pay. If the cooperating commission offered through MLS is less than the amount specified in the buyer agency agreement, the buyer's agent may collect the difference directly from the buyer, provided this arrangement was disclosed and agreed upon in the buyer agency agreement. The buyer agency agreement is a binding contract, and Sandra may enforce the 0.5% difference against her buyer client.

Answer Options
A
Sandra may collect the additional 0.5% directly from her buyer client pursuant to the buyer agency agreement
B
Sandra must accept only the 2.5% offered by the listing broker and cannot collect any additional compensation
C
Sandra must disclose the compensation difference to BORREBS and request a ruling on the proper amount
D
Sandra may only collect additional compensation from the buyer if the seller's broker agrees in writing to reduce its commission accordingly

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

buyer_agencycommission_structurebuyer_agency_agreementcompensation_disclosure254_cmr_3

Related Concepts

Market allocation is an illegal antitrust practice in which competing real estate brokerages agree to divide markets among themselves by geographic area, property type, or price range, thereby eliminating competition.

Price fixing is an illegal antitrust practice in which competing real estate brokerages agree to charge the same commission rates, fees, or other pricing for their services. It is a per se violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

Florida brokers are required to maintain transaction records and escrow records for a minimum of five years.

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