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Dear George: We're selling our house without using a real estate agent. A REALTOR® asked if she could show our house to her clients, and we agreed. If these people buy our house, do we have to pay any part of the
REALTOR®'s commission?

Answer: A seller only pays a REALTOR®'s commission if that seller has agreed to do so in writing. If the REALTOR® who obtained your permission to show your property did things correctly, she had her clients sign a Residential Buyer/Tenant Representation Agreement. That agreement states that if a seller does not pay the REALTOR®'s commission, the buyer agrees to pay it.

E-mail a question to ask George & Chuck or fax it to 713-978-6684. The answers to questions in this column do not contain legal advice. If you wish to obtain legal advice, you should consult your own attorney.