The standard brokerage model creates an obvious conflict: developers pay commissions, buyers pay nothing, so the broker's economic incentive tilts toward conversion rather than counsel. We address this in two ways — by working only with developers who pass our own filter independently of commission, and by disclosing in writing what we receive before any shortlist is presented. On primary market transactions, the developer pays us at a standard market rate, disclosed before you see the shortlist. On resale, we charge 1% brokerage, agreed in writing with clear terms on who pays before the search begins. On pure advisory — a written brief, a second opinion on a property you've found independently — we charge a flat fee agreed upfront. No surprises at signing, in any structure.
What we don't take: undisclosed acceleration incentives (a higher commission to move specific slow inventory within a time window, without the buyer knowing the incentive exists) and price-floor arrangements (priority allocation in exchange for discouraging clients from negotiating below a developer-set number). The test is simple — would I be comfortable explaining this arrangement to the client whose money is on the table, before they sign? If the answer is no, we decline, regardless of what it costs us.
