I saw a listing here by owner and contacted him via message service. So this was the first point of contact between me and the seller (direct). While waiting for a reply, I saw the exact listing listed on a broker's page and messaged the seller's broker if I could see the apartment. Seller replies to my email. I see the apartment, but with the seller's broker. I am unrepresented at this point. I... [more]
I saw a listing here by owner and contacted him via message service. So this was the first point of contact between me and the seller (direct).
While waiting for a reply, I saw the exact listing listed on a broker's page and messaged the seller's broker if I could see the apartment.
Seller replies to my email.
I see the apartment, but with the seller's broker.
I am unrepresented at this point.
I am interested to make a bid.
I know there are many brokers on this board and of course want to protect their fellow brokers, but I would appreciate an honest answer here. Beyond that, please allow me to make my choices based on my own conscience.
Question: is the seller obligated to use the broker? Since technically first contact was made between us, without the broker? All the broker did was to show me the apt, but I was already told by the seller directly to come at the same time?
Can I, at this point, still do a direct bid/offer with the owner without the broker? Say if the seller was allowed to represent herself as well (seems like it since he was listing it directly here)?
Would it be that by default, since the seller's broker was there when I visited, that she is already part of this deal? Ethics aside, can the seller ditch his broker?
[less]
