My BIC would want to go with me - and I would gladly take her - she rocks!

I have no clue how my office would handle it... as it's never come up. And I wouldn't accept a cruise as I get seasick just looking at boats and ships... no way you'd get me on one!

Naw... gets too complicated. Give me the cash.

Wow, I believe we could just accept it. Hope this is a bonus to the commission though.

I could accept it. But I'm my own shop. Would I accept it? I don't know, possibly. Is he also providing top-notch babysitting services for Luna? Cuz that's a thing. 🐶

I have a client who will give me his (gorgeous classic) Mercedes when I sell his property. I am not interested. I have had a Mercedes before, we don't have good shops to care for them out here. So show me the money honey!

To answer your question, everything is doable if everybody agrees to it, but you'd probably want to go to your tax person and find out if you'd have any liability there.

Good question. I have no idea.

Not sure about the answer, would have to check with my accounting department.

Unless it is on top of commission earned - NO GO!

As a former Broker I would suggest they adjust their asking price instead.

While the office gets their % on every deal this is outside of the realm of the norm. If somebody wanted to give me a cruise for selling their house (can I make some suggestions on the particulars of that offer?) you can bet I have no intention of paying my office a % of the cost. I'd talk to them about getting that waived & if they wanted to keep their busy Agent happy it would be prudent to give me a bottle of Rum & say, have fun! 

I always said, we make YOU money- you don't make US money. Keep your Agents happy if you want to keep your Agents. 

Another "bright, shiny kind of object" idea that never seems to work.  I have seen this concept promoted over the years but have never been a part of one.

No problem when you have a 100% commission plan like I had at RE/MAX.

I don't know and I will ask my broker.  Have not experienced this, though.

well that's a good offer, but we prefer commission rather than a cruise

Wow, the easiest way to handle it is pass on showing the property. Or, explain to the buyer that they will have to pay your commission and they can have the cruise.

I don't know the answer to your question. I can say that while I worked on a ship for three months one year, I have never been on a cruise and I have absolutely no desire to go on one of those big floating cities. So if that's what it was, I wouldn't want it. Now, if the seller was throwing in a National Geographic cruise on one of those smaller vessels where you get to go exploring, I'd be willing to take it!

Were they offering the cruise as PART of the commission (or as a bonus) or in lieu of full commission? Your Q is confusing since first it says "as part of" then says "as the commission".

It depends on what your IC Agreement says. When I was with a big box, our IC Agreement addressed this very specifically. It also addressed gifts and bonuses (which were given to the agent, no strings attached) and how cash gifts / bonuses were handled. Cruises were offered frequently back then but I never heard of anyone accepting a cruise in lieu of even partial commish.

Part of the problem with what that seller proposed is valuation...how much would the full commission be on the sale vs. the value of the cruise. My guess is the cost of the cruise would be far less than the actual full commission.  

Scott,

This often happened in commercial real estate, and it was not in lieu of the commission.  It was an incentive to bring a tenant to a building.  One of our agents won a trip to Cancun for two.  Since we owned the company it meant that we would be the recipients of this gift.  We signed it over to our agent without hesitation...he was a big asset to our firm and a great team player, and we did this each and every time.  What an easy way to retain an agent and create goodwill!  A

I have no time for cruises so this would not be an option.

1. I could do it if I chose to. I'm 100% in charge of my income and no split.

2. I would not accept it however, I want CASH not cruise. 

I am not sure how my office would handle it, but I would run! I seem to recall males always being the ones that do not come back from the cruises. While life may have its ups and downs, I am not ready to check out of this life just yet, so no cruises for me.

I wouldn't want it.

Interesting, I will read it.

I think that would be a foolish move to do that.

We would not expect the agent to share with us.

If it was "part" of the commission (ie: a bonus), I'm sure my brokerage would work something out with me... I might have to balance out a percentage of the cost of the cruise with the office.

But personally, I don't want a cruise as incentive... I'm looking for that cold-hard-cash.

A good question and hope to pay for my own cruises.

I would not be interested in going on a cruise....cash bonus, please.  

There was a time that new construction builders were giving agents tv's, store gift cards for thousands, and even a car ( you had to qualify to get into the drawing)

Most brokers allowed the agent to take the prize...I have not seen the big perks for several years.

Eve

Switch Offices

NEYET! wold say my broker.

In the past, as a BROKER, I have taken furniture, businesses, works of art and a sundry of things as compensation. As an associate, I am not captain of the vessel.

They would be jealous.  

No idea.

What an interesting situation. I have seen bonuses offered in the past...cruise, vacation at a private cabin, other stuff. I would rather have cash and spend it the way I want to spend it.

My office would not accept this as commission payable, nor do I think we would be allowed to... it strictly cash for commission from the proceeds of the sale.

Interesting.  I've heard of them being given to buyers as an incentive back in the day.  I'd go on vacation, personally.  Depends on where the cruise is to though.  If it's only to Mexico, forget it.  Too much cartel violence out there, even near the docks and resorts (I've seen the pictures, freakin' gruesome!).

I saw your blog post.  I could have done that when I owned my own office, but not as an agent under a broker.  I would have paid out of pocket to compensate the office for their portion.  Not my idea of how to make money selling real estate. 

if it's a for sale by owner, I would write the commission into the offer to purchase and clearly state the homeowner will be paying it....

Why complicate things?  Oh wait, it is a FSBO that's why.  

It is also why they need YOU. 

I would pass on that. Not only is it complicated not everyone likes to cruise. 

Treated as a taxable bonus aside from the contracted commission

A drawing with rules followed by negotiations of give & take would lead to some answers...Amazing how we humans like to squabble about things

Wow, not sure how I would handle that one.

That would be a good question, but I am the broker, so not a big deal.

I would discourage it.  It is a gimack