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The Principal‐Agent Relationship in Real Estate Brokerage Services

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  • Michael A. Arnold

Abstract

This article investigates the principal‐agent relationship between the owner of a house and her real estate broker. The principal's (owner's) problem is to design a contract that induces the agent (broker) to adopt a selling strategy that maximizes the owner's expected return. A sequential search model is utilized to analyze this principal‐agent relationship. Three different systems for paying the broker are considered: fixed‐percentage commission, flat‐fee, and consignment. Both the discount factors of the owner and the broker and the net costs of ownership incurred while attempting to sell the house play a central role in determining the nature of the optimal contract. The analysis demonstrates that the fixed‐percentage commission system is the only one of the three systems considered that can induce a first‐best, incentive‐compatible contract. A numerical analysis provides insights regarding the effect of the fixed‐percentage commission system on competition in the real estate brokerage industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael A. Arnold, 1992. "The Principal‐Agent Relationship in Real Estate Brokerage Services," Real Estate Economics, American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association, vol. 20(1), pages 89-106, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:reesec:v:20:y:1992:i:1:p:89-106
    DOI: 10.1111/1540-6229.00573
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Salant, S.W., 1990. "For Sale by Owner: When to Use a Realtor and How to Price the House," Papers 90-14, Michigan - Center for Research on Economic & Social Theory.
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