BIC TIP #1230: Do Not Work for a Jerk
Every broker eventually meets the client who wants something they cannot have. In this BIC TIP, Stephen Long addresses a specific and serious version of that: a seller who wants you to withhold a material fact and gives you an ultimatum. Hide it, or you are fired. Stephen’s answer is refreshingly simple: go with getting fired.
The Ultimatum
It usually sounds something like this: If you tell buyers about that, I will find another agent. It can feel like a real dilemma when a listing, a paycheck, and a relationship are on the line. But disclosure of material facts is not optional for North Carolina brokers. It is part of your license obligations.
When the choice is between keeping a listing and keeping your integrity and your license, there is no contest.
The Seller Is the One Out of Line
Stephen points out that a seller who will not let you comply with license law is putting themselves in breach of the listing agreement. You are not the problem in that scenario. You are being asked to do something unlawful, and refusing is the right call.
If you find yourself in this position, document the conversation and talk to your broker-in-charge immediately. Your BIC can help you handle the exit professionally.
There Is Never a Right Way to Do the Wrong Thing
That line is the heart of this tip. No commission is worth a complaint, a disciplinary action, or a lawsuit. And no client relationship is worth compromising who you are as a professional.
Do not be pushed around, and do not be bullied. Clients who respect the rules are out there. Spend your energy on them.
The Practical Takeaway
If a seller demands that you hide a material fact or lose the listing, choose losing the listing. Disclose what the law requires, document everything, and bring in your broker-in-charge. Do not work for a jerk, and never let anyone pressure you into doing the wrong thing.
This BIC Tip is general real estate education for licensees and consumers, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules and forms change, so verify current NCREC rules, MLS rules, and standard forms, and consult a North Carolina attorney or qualified professional about your specific situation. See Disclaimers & Disclosures.
