If a seller refuses to pay an earned commission to a broker, the broker may:
Question & Answer
Review the question and all answer choices
file a vendor’s lien against the seller’s property.
A is incorrect because California does not recognize vendor's liens for commission recovery. A vendor's lien is a specific legal remedy that doesn't apply to commission disputes in this state.
file a formal complaint with the Department of Real Estate (DRE).
B is incorrect because the Department of Real Estate (DRE) regulates licensing and professional conduct, but does not resolve commission payment disputes between brokers and clients.
file a court action against the seller to recover their fee.
invalidate the sale and have it set aside.
D is incorrect because brokers cannot invalidate a sale they facilitated. Once the transaction closes, the broker has no authority to have the sale set aside due to a commission dispute.
Why is this correct?
The correct answer is C because when a seller refuses to pay an earned commission, the broker has the legal right to file a court action against the seller to recover their fee. This is based on breach of contract principles, as the commission is typically earned when the broker produces a ready, willing, and able buyer at the terms acceptable to the seller.
Deep Analysis
AI-powered in-depth explanation of this concept
Commission disputes are among the most common legal issues in real estate practice. Understanding how brokers can recover earned commissions is crucial for protecting your business interests. This question tests knowledge of remedies available when a seller refuses payment of an earned commission. The core concept revolves around contractual obligations and legal remedies. To arrive at the correct answer, we must analyze each option's validity in California law. Option C is correct because brokers have the right to file a court action (civil lawsuit) to recover fees under breach of contract principles. Option A is incorrect because vendor's liens are specific to certain jurisdictions and not generally applicable in California for commission disputes. Option B is incorrect as the DRE handles licensing violations, not commission disputes. Option D is incorrect as brokers generally cannot invalidate a sale they facilitated. This question connects to broader concepts of agency relationships, contracts, and legal remedies in real estate transactions.
Knowledge Background
Essential context and foundational knowledge
In real estate transactions, commissions are typically earned when a broker produces a ready, willing, and able buyer at the terms acceptable to the seller. This creates a contractual relationship between the broker and seller. When the seller refuses to pay an earned commission, the broker has several legal remedies available. The most direct remedy is filing a civil lawsuit to recover the commission, which is based on breach of contract principles. This legal action is separate from any licensing issues or property liens and is the standard remedy for commission disputes in California real estate practice.
SUE: Seller Unpaid? Enforce in court!
Remember that when a Seller refuses to pay, the broker's primary remedy is to Enforce the contract through legal action in court.
When questions involve commission disputes, focus on the contractual relationship between broker and client. Remember that legal action (court filing) is the standard remedy for unpaid commissions, while regulatory bodies handle licensing issues, not payment disputes.
Real World Application
How this concept applies in actual real estate practice
Imagine you're a broker who listed a property for $500,000. After two months of marketing, you present a full-price offer from a qualified buyer. The seller accepts, and the transaction closes successfully. At closing, the seller refuses to pay your 6% commission ($30,000), claiming your marketing efforts were insufficient. In this situation, you would file a civil lawsuit against the seller to recover your earned commission, as you fulfilled your contractual obligation by producing a ready, willing, and able buyer at acceptable terms.
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