You've done nothing wrong here and have nothing to apologize for. I would just get out there and sell the home and if the other agent said something then I would explain what happened. But I wouldn't be the first to bring it up.

You have done nothing wrong and the bottom line is the Seller contacted you directly.  I am sure they have already informed the agent of their discontent.    She had her chance to sell the home, so show them how it is done and move on!  lol!

Hi Noah -- you did nothing wrong.

You know the back story.

Stuff happens.  

Now go sell it!

Are you in the business of  selling real estate or therapy?

You did not steal the listing...the other agent lost  the listing.

Eve

Noah, I don't think you have to justify yourself.  The seller made his choice with whom to list.  

You take the listing and sell the property. These circumstances occur in the normal course of business.

No harm, no foul.  Go for it Noah.

If they contacted me I would NOT feel bad. The former agent did NOT get the job.

that's happened to all of us.... I suggest to my team members that they talk, face to face, with the past agent....it's business...not a personal thing....and you SHOULD take the listing.... your company deserves to have that listing if it's offered to you again.... what would you say to the broker/owner about not taking it??  that's his/her income and future business will come from it.... 

The fact is that listings are often swapped between agents. At least, they are in my area. It's not always a reflection on the agent. I've had homes not sell after I told the sellers exactly what they needed to do and they refused. 4 months later, they come back on the market with the price and improvements I suggested, but with another agent. What happens? The home sells. It's a fact of the trade. As long as you didn't call them to ask for the listing, you've done nothing wrong.

If they called you, then there i sno problme and no issue iwth it. Many of my listings expired with theior former agent who didnt get the job done and they call for results. Congratulations on the listing

Noah Seidenberg You answered your own question - business is business. We all lose listings to other agents at one time or another.

I think if you feel any sense of hesitation you could always give them a small referral fee. I have done that before to insure peace in the valley.

I would feel a bit bad but not bad enough not to take the listing. It is what it is.

We eventually realize agents swap a lot of inventory.

I would not hesitate to take the listing.

Speak no negative thing of the past agent.

No, the past agent does not get an invitation to the closing party.

You would be well advised to examine why you feel bad. All emotions are directly connected to the values that govern your life. Identify which value is being threatened and reckon this value to be true or false and respond accordingly.

As long as you did not contact him to get the listing you did not do anything wrong. I would explain to my coworker that the seller contacted me.

Take the listing Noah.  Remember they called you.

You didn't contact him, he called you. It's a business decision and has nothing to do with betraying the other Realtor...

I agree with Sharon Altier, SFR and Michael Jacobs.  This may be a case study in not working with family.  Often, it's more difficult to be totally frank with a relative. 

Don't ever let feelings get in the way of your livelihood Noah Seidenberg. It's business and that's all there is to it, listing and selling. When you're good at it people will seek you out and that's all you need to be concerned about.   

Nina nailed this one!

Not allowed in our office without express consent.

Noah - No need to feel bad, guilty, or worry about hurting the other Realtor's feelings. That Realtor had the listing, and had the opportunity to sell the home. Its only because the home didn't sell that you were called. It doesn't make a difference that the Realtor is related to the home seller. It could have been any agent.

Noah Seidenberg - just talk to the 'relative' agent, and if you really feel guilty, give the other Realtor(r) some referral fees.

Give her a shot at bringing  a buyer just like all the other agents in your association. I would be pro-active and point out that you were approached and leave it at that. Anything beyond and you may be crossing the line in your agency agreement with the seller.