No, and this is one of the clearest warning signs of a scam. Licensed Florida real estate brokers are paid at closing by the lender, not by the homeowner, and not before any work has been done.

Distressed homeowners are, unfortunately, a frequent target for operators charging fees for help that’s either unnecessary, never delivered, or actively harmful. Understanding how legitimate compensation actually works in this space is the simplest way to spot the difference.

How a licensed broker actually gets paid

In a short sale, a licensed real estate broker’s commission comes out of the sale proceeds at closing, paid by the lender as part of the approved transaction. The homeowner doesn’t write the agent a check, and nothing changes hands before the home actually sells. That structure means the broker’s financial incentive is directly aligned with getting the deal closed, not with extracting a fee regardless of outcome.

What it looks like when someone breaks that pattern

Anyone asking a distressed homeowner for money upfront, often framed as a “processing fee,” “consultation fee,” or “document preparation fee,” before any actual sale, negotiation, or resolution has occurred, is operating outside how legitimate short sale representation works. This pattern shows up across many different kinds of foreclosure rescue scams, even when the specific pitch varies.

What to do instead

If someone presents an offer to help that involves paying anything before a sale closes, the right response is to pause and call a licensed broker for a second opinion before paying or signing anything. A legitimate professional won’t be offended by that caution, and a few minutes spent verifying can prevent a financial loss on top of an already difficult situation.

If something about an offer or letter doesn’t feel right, call or text Michele Lee Scherger at 561-309-2950 for a free, no-obligation second opinion before you sign or pay anything.