I've asked this question in a similar, but different, way in the Realtors forum. But I really want different perspectives on it so I'm bringing the question here as well.

Scenario: I'm a wholesaler. In my farm area there is a Realtor. The Realtor is driving around this area all the time showing traditional buyers properties (or selling homes on the MLS, in the traditional sense). This Realtor from time to time comes across ugly, run down properties that he/she knows they can't themselves sell. They do know of wholesalers that could be interested. So this Realtor contacts a wholesaler (or list of wholesalers) with only a tip about the property, as in "Hey, I saw a property at 123 Main St. that appears to be vacant. From the outside it needs some work...". A wholesaler takes up the tip, contacts the owner, negotiates, gets the property under contract and assigns to a rehabber, yada yada. Again, the Realtor never acted as a sellers or buyers agent.

A) Is this legal for the agent to do and for them to receive compensation (i.e. bird dog fee/finders fee) from the wholesaler upon closing? Is accepting this fee within the rules governing real estate licensing*?

B) If "A" is all good, what's a reasonable fee, or compensation, for the wholesaler to pay the Realtor?

*I understand that these rules vary from location to location so this question may not be able to be answered.