Unlawful broker commission?

It’s already starting off badly with our construction project :(

Take it as a learning experience and a good investment in the future!

Even if you end up stuck with the costs of the soil survey (maybe you can pass them on to the future buyer), it is still a small loss compared to what is very likely to be expected with the above-described "professional ethics."

Rhine greetings

How do I proceed best now?

1.) Secure evidence (screenshot, printout of the listing showing the brokerage fee of 3.57%). 2.) Under these circumstances, I would have the draft purchase agreement reviewed by an independent lawyer you commission and pay for (in Magdeburg I have an address, which you can find yourself with Google's help, otherwise PM). 3.) Reject the broker's higher brokerage fee claim (brief letter). 4.) Pay what you owe (3.57% of the purchase price, but of course not before the brokerage fee is due!!)

Reservation fee ... Hmm, just don't pay it, dispute the claim (justification BGH etc.) ... If it is finally offset, maybe that's okay too. Learning cost ...

Soil survey? No idea ... You want it, you will certainly have to pay for it. The question remains whether that could be done without the broker, but the order has already been placed ...

Building ... Definitely not with this broker and/or partners. Hopefully, you will buy the property free from any developer (see also 2nd review of the draft purchase agreement).

Thank you again for your quick responses. Here is the update: I called the broker and asked how his enormous commission comes about. He said it was a flat rate, which is common practice for smaller properties. He couldn't explain the contradiction on his websites. When I pointed out to him that this contract was illegal, he surprisingly quickly granted me the possibility to withdraw from the contract. When I said that we would agree to the commission of 3.57%, he declined. So the property is off the table for us. I had read a lot in the forum here before, but I was not prepared for something like this.

Hello,

I read a lot in the forum here before, but I was not prepared for something like this.

There is much more that will probably surprise you if you encounter such people again; they simply don't die out ....

Don't be upset that you didn't get the property, but be glad that you managed to pull out in time and without cost ;) You will find "your" property and hopefully also a reliable building partner!

Rhenish greetings

If the broker is affiliated with a "Verband der Makler," I would also consider reporting this behavior there.

I am not usually one to kick someone when they are down, but in this case, I find it quite appropriate, as this behavior seems unprofessional to me and inconsistent with the values of an honest broker.

Thank you, construction expert, for your encouragement.
: Unfortunately, this agent does not seem to belong to any association and is independent. It is alarming that his scheme works and now another plot has been reserved with him, also with a commission of €3570 on a purchase price of €17200, which corresponds to 20.75%.
Best regards and happy holidays!