Business and Personal Finance Dictionary

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• COMPENSATION
  
  The source of compensation does not determine agency. An agent does not necessarily represent the person who pays his or her commission. In fact, agency can exist even if no fee is involved (called a gratuitous agency). Buyers and sellers can agree, whichever way they choose, to compensate the broker, regardless of which is the agent's principal. For instance, a seller could agree to pay a commission to the buyer's agent. The written agency agreement should state how the agent is being compensated and explain all the alternatives available.
  
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