BROKERS: GET YOUR COMMISSION AGREEMENTS IN WRITING!

Timothy Kowal, Esq.
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April 24, 2020
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Last month's decision in Westside Estate Agency, Inc. v. Randall (Cal. Ct. App. - Dec. 1, 2016) began its opinion saying:

"We are all familiar with the phrase, "caveat emptor": Buyer beware. This case deals with its less renowned cousin, "caveat sectorem": Broker beware."

Section 1624 of the Civil Code says that a real estate broker can only be a broker for someone - e.g., get a commission - if there's an agreement in writing. The broker here didn't get a signed agreement authorizing his status as a broker, but instead relied upon an alleged oral agreement.

That's not good enough.

Which means he loses out on a $925,000 commission on a $45 million sale.

Follow the statute. Get the agreement in writing.

h/t Prof. Shaun Martin

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