The seller, freelance marketing consultant Ashley Lim, had been trying to help her parents sell their five-room Choa Chu Kang flat on her own by listing it on online marketplace Carousell, Ohmyhome and Facebook.
But more than 40, or the vast majority, of the inquiries she received were requests from property agents to market her flat on PropertyGuru and 99.co - popular property platforms that allow listings only from agents.
They promised not to collect a commission from her.
Some agents said they would collect this instead from buyers they introduced to her, while others asked Ms Lim to hike her asking price so they could pocket the difference.
Regulations state that agents are not allowed to solicit payments from people who have not engaged their services. They are also allowed to represent only one party in a transaction (either the buyer or seller).
But Ms Lim's situation reflects how stiff competition in the property market is driving some agents to navigate ethical minefields in order to snap up property listings and commissions.
Ms Lim eventually agreed to allow an agent from Huttons Asia to market the flat on PropertyGuru and 99.co. He had told her that he would collect his commission from the eventual flat buyer.
Denne historien er fra November 06, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 06, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek has cancer
American actor James Van Der Beek (right), who starred in the 1990s teen TV drama Dawson's Creek, on Nov 3 said he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
Content creator Mayiduo's directorial debut is a film with a cast of influencers
Local content creator Kelvin Tan, better known by his online moniker Mayiduo, is making his directorial debut with a cast of influencers.
Actress Diana Danielle asks estranged husband Farid Kamil to let her go
Malaysian actress Diana Danielle shared that she had spent a full year trying to reconcile and improve her marriage with actor Farid Kamil, but it was futile.
Sour plum juice, chilli crab and laksa for Dua Lipa
Pop star Dua Lipa has been enjoying herself in town ahead of her two shows at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Nov 5 and 6, which kick off her world tour in support of her third album, Radical Optimism (2024).
Shawn Mendes opens up on why he walked away at his peak
NEW YORK - On a rainy summer night, on a club stage in Woodstock, New York, Shawn Mendes was ready for tears. Happy tears, overwhelmed tears. Just some processing-everything-as-it-happens mistiness.
Christmas action with Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans
Festive flick Red One also marks a return to action films for American actress Lucy Liu
M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2025 Experimental platform grapples with displacement
Meanwhile, the festival organiser is looking for a new title donor
Cemetery weddings find new life thanks to 'positive death' moment
It is right there in the vows uttered at innumerable weddings each year: \"Till death do us part.\"
Whole body deodorants get popular
If you suddenly feel as if you are being inundated with advertisements for something called \"whole body deodorant\", you are not alone.
Having a recovery day? Stay active
Low-impact movement can be more effective than rest for reducing muscle soreness after exercise
