I'm not saying I'm interested in this. I've been contacted for some work and I can see a possibility of joining a seller and buyer. Is there a professional violation for a land surveyor being compensated for this?
One reason I ask is because a local realtor got in hot water charging a commission for a non real estate property sale that he put together.
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Check your state's statute on that.?ÿ Generally, only licensed real estate people can legally charge for such services.
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On the other hand, if a new piece of survey gear were mysteriously found one day in your survey chariot, you would probably keep it.
I've been compensated for a lot of things that aren't surveying. It's going to depend on what you charge for and how your State treats it.
I have had many offers for receiving a finders fee if I was able to give a client some information about timber, land and minerals they could acquire.
One employer told the crews that a finders fee was available for these things and when anyone would go to him about collecting a fee he would keep all the fees for himself.
I've been contacted by individuals about properties they may be able to buy and I would let them know that I would if they would allow me to survey the land for them.
Mostly, nobody would ever pay what they promised and I stopped telling anyone anything.
If you have the opportunity to do any of this, check out your BOR on the subject and get everything in writing and do it all legally as it can cause you to lose your license very quickly and possibly find yourself in the middle of a lawsuit and worse.
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In NC, it is illegal. Sounds like you need to issue an invoice for "additional survey services".
Is there a professional violation for a land surveyor being compensated for this?
No, at least in FL. And I doubt the Surveyor Statutes anywhere even address it.
As long as both parties know you are working for both of them there is no legal or ethical wrongdoing. ?????ÿ
@flga
You might check out your state law.
Where in NC Statutes does it prohibit accepting a finder's fee? I can see in, "21 NCAC 56 .0701 RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT", that you cannot include it in your survey costs or use it as leverage to secure the job. It seems to be technically legal but likely to give an appearance of unethical behavior. I would think a one-off deal would be acceptable.
Please point me in the right direction as to where in the FL Statutes it addresses working for two clients at once is illegal, unethical, or just contrary to established Fl law.?ÿ?ÿ
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@flga
I was referring to the to OP inquiry regarding receiving a commission or finders fee for connecting a seller and buyer.
Like most surveyors, you have tunnel vision. It's NC state law. Forget the board.
It's the same as surveying without a license.
This situation can come up once in a while. In this case it's one of my best and one of my worst clients.
I just discovered the good client is wanting to find some property near the other client who is looking to sell.?ÿ
Anyway, the idea of taking a commission for something like that comes up now and then but I never would, just curious, it believe it would be similar to me stepping into legal or engineering work.?ÿ
The realtor who got into problems tried to get paid for a sale of stock in some property rights. That I hear is a no-no.
I'm in the awkward position of being both a license holder in surveying and as a real estate salesperson.?ÿ I must be careful at all times.?ÿ ?ÿIf a real estate person were to start doing surveys for their clients it would be the surveying laws that would get them in trouble.?ÿ Similarly, if a surveyor starts collecting commissions for providing real estate services it would be the real estate laws that would get them in trouble.?ÿ In rare cases, I suppose both professions might go after the double dipper.?ÿ In any case, it would be extremely rare and probably due to numerous reports of such activity.
I can offer my services in both fields to anyone I wish.?ÿ The catch is that I do a lot of work at the referral of other real estate firms.?ÿ That would probably go away if they were to find me poaching from their pool.?ÿ So, I only do real estate work for those where I feel there is no conflict.?ÿ The possibilities are endless, so I would recommend getting a real estate license to other surveyors who have enough time to serve both industries.?ÿ It is tough to leave a paying survey job for an hour or three to show a real estate listing to a prospect knowing full well that time may produce zero return.?ÿ However, it does pay nicely when you are involved in a big sale.?ÿ Truthfully, I could probably double my income rather quickly by doing more real estate sales and less surveying.?ÿ But, attempting to survive on real estate sales income alone is very risky business.
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I think the issue is with expecting or demanding compensation for doing something that comes natural to us.?ÿ Who hasn't recommended a builder to a property owner or developer? I've recommended engineers to developers and surveyors to engineers and homeowners.?ÿ I've never expected to be compensated or demanded to be part of what comes of these marriages, if it happens. Oh, once a six pack was on my doorstep in the morning but mostly a brief thank you note is all expect or deem necessary.?ÿ ?ÿ
The dangers of crossing this line is not worth the compensation in my opinion. If something goes wrong, and it will can, reputation can be sullied and investigation commenced, and sleepless nights ensue.?ÿ Arms length, is a concept that is a healthy one.?ÿ
That said, a partner of mine many years ago got his real estate license just so he could venture into this type of morras. I could go on and on about that.?ÿ
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It's not awkward, its smart. The intelligence level of the average real estate agent is on low end. Make the best of it. Forget about poaching. Those people don't care.
