"Asked by a buyer to look in your building"

They are all trying to get you to list with them. If you do not want to sell, just ignore. If you want to sell, tell them you will pay them 2.5 percent if they have a buyer but in that “listing contract” with them you need the name of the buyer and the contract is limited to the buyer. That way you are free to list with any one else and if they are being truthful, they get their buyer’s commission.

Thanks! That was very helpful. I'm to assume these clients that they mention are generally lies?

Also, that's 2.5% total to the broker instead of 6% (3% to each broker?) -- that seems pretty great.

95 percent at least are lies.

Any one with a real client will be happy with 2.5 percent.

Without telling them what your apartment number is, ask them exactly what their buyer is looking for. Most will be so flustered that you won't get an intelligible answer. But if they turn around and tell you number of bedrooms/baths, views, condition, etc that exactly matches your apartment then you can take the discussion further.

Thanks much all!

I just tell them to look on streeteasy to see what's available.