Property purchase - When is a broker's commission due?

Good evening,

mine is not quite so good, as today unexpectedly a commission of almost 10,000,- from a real estate agent landed at my house. Actually, he had offered a house with the plot of land, which I had looked at. However, he also said that the plot would be available without the house. He had not informed me about the costs for the commission. Well, in any case, I discovered in an email that the plot actually belongs to the city. So I called them and clarified everything further, made contracts, notary appointment, etc. The city official also said that they have no contracts with the real estate agency. Now, not even 2 weeks after the notary appointment, the invoice for the commission came directly. Is this really lawful? I have also read somewhere that when buying from a municipality or city, there is a right of first refusal and no commission is charged.

Best regards Tobias

As far as I remember, a broker's commission is even included in the contract that is read out by the notary. If none is incurred, then not. What I do remember for sure is that our broker was present at the notary reading back then....

If the city had no contract with the municipality, a commission is not justified.

Sit it out or better: politely point it out in a three-liner :)

The city had no contract with the real estate agent, or rather it was even a house construction company. Of course, if a real estate agent arranges this, makes the contracts, is present at the notary, etc., then it is okay. But in our case, he did not.

Sure, if an agent brokers it, makes the contracts, is present at the notary, etc., then it’s okay. But he didn’t do that in our case.

Yep, what does that tell you? *silvernestabletputtingoute*

Or did I answer your question incorrectly? 2 weeks after the notary contract ;)

Somehow, I'm not completely relaxed about this.

Get used to it: when building a house, the tension remains - whether positive or negative ;)

There are quite a few sheep in the tough real estate broker industry who broker land without a contract and without being asked.