Paying Fees After the Realty Contract Ends

Many people find the process of listing and selling a home difficult and confusing. It is easy to reduce stress and confusion by discovering vital information about paying fees after the realty contract ends.

Realty contracts that have ended

Many people think that, if they received an offer after a real estate agent removed the listing for a home, the seller is not responsible for paying any realtor fees. In this situation, the seller reasons that he or she showed the home and the realtor was no longer under contract, so there is no reason to pay. Depending on the length of time that passes from when the contract ended to when the offer is made, this is potentially a breach of contract. Most contracts stipulate that if a sale is made within a period of time after the listing ended, the realtor still collects fees. In many contracts, this period is six months.

When fees are not stipulated in contract

Even if this is not stipulated in a contract, some buyers opt to pay realtor fees if the offer is made soon after the listing closed. The reason sales made after the listing closed are still eligible for realtors fees is that it is assumed the buyer learned of the property's existence because of the realtor's efforts, even if the offer was not made while the listing was technically open with the realtor. After six months have passed, it is more likely that the seller put forth the effort that attracted the potential buyer.

In many situations, though not all, sellers are still responsible for paying realtor fees after the realty contract ends. Sellers in this situation should consult their specific contracts for details.