relocationTelling Buyers Why the Owner is Selling

You see it all the time on MLS:  a listing agent who trumpets that a home is “only available due to Seller relocation.”

Such verbiage is:

A. Smart marketing, because it lets prospective Buyers know why the property is available.
B. Neither a marketing plus nor minus.
C. A violation of the listing agent’s fiduciary duty, unless the Seller gave them written authorization.

Answer:  “C.”

As veteran Realtors know, the three things listing agents never divulge (at least without their client’s written permission) are price, terms, and motivation.

Broadcasting that the Seller is being relocated speaks directly to motivation, and therefore is a BIG “no-no.”

P.S.:  So, when might a Seller authorize such a disclosure?

If they recently purchased — say, less than a year ago — and want to blunt Buyer concern that they’re abruptly re-selling because there’s something wrong with the home.

About the author

Ross Kaplan has 19+ years experience selling real estate all over the Twin Cities. He is also a 12-time consecutive "Super Real Estate Agent," as determined by Mpls. - St. Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business Magazine. Prior to becoming a Realtor, Ross was an attorney (corporate law), CPA, and entrepreneur. He holds an economics degree from Stanford.

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