Source: TN — 

In Tennessee’s hot real estate market, many potential homebuyers and buyers’ agents are going above and beyond making financial offers in order to separate themselves from the pack and attract the attention of sellers.

Concert tickets, homemade cookies, tacos, gift cards, fuel cards and personal letters are just a few of the “sweeteners” that buyers and buyers’ agents are using in order to help close the deal.

While Tennessee’s healthy real estate market is a sign of the Volunteer State’s robust economy, the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance and the Tennessee Real Estate Commission remind homebuyers and licensed real estate professionals to always be mindful of the rules and statutes governing inducements, cash rebates and other prizes.

You’re probably asking yourself, “Are gifts, prizes or other items that are intended to lead to a real estate listing or sale involving a licensee a violation of Tennessee’s real-estate laws?”