June 2023
Apps such as SHOWforME, BrokerAssist, and Showami have been developed over the last few years. These services connect a broker with another broker who will show a property for a fee.
The Oregon Real Estate Agency does not approve business models. Oregon brokers and principal brokers must be familiar with specific laws that regulate professional real estate activities and compensation, and seek independent legal advice as needed
Professional real estate activity is defined in Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 696.010 (17)(j):
“Professional real estate activity" means any of the following actions, when engaged in for another and for compensation or with the intention or in the expectation or upon the promise of receiving or collecting compensation, by any person who:
. . .
Assists or directs in the negotiation or closing of any transaction calculated or intended to result in the sale, exchange, leasing or rental of real estate.
ORS 696.010 (6) provides the definition of compensation as it pertains to Oregon real estate license law:
“Compensation" means valuable consideration for services rendered or to be rendered, whether contingent or otherwise.
ORS 696.290 discusses the sharing of compensation, including the following:
(2) A real estate broker associated with a principal real estate broker may not accept compensation from any person other than the principal real estate broker with whom the real estate broker is associated at the time.
And, finally, ORS 696.301 provides the grounds for when the Real Estate Commissioner can reprimand, suspend, or revoke a license, which includes:
(2) Represented, attempted to represent or accepted compensation from a principal real estate broker other than the principal real estate broker with whom the real estate broker is associated.
The Agency encourages licensees to review and consider these pertinent laws when formulating business practices and procedures. Find the complete text of ORS chapter 696 at
https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors696.html.