Realtor Exclusivity Clause

[Shalen Takaaze]

What are your thoughts on a realtor putting in an exclusivity clause in a contract? I am a first time investor looking at out of state properties. My MIL is a realtor and she says that in her experience in Hawaii, she does not know many of her associates who use exclusivity clauses in our area. Is this common practice in many other states? For context, I am still in my early stages where I only connected with this realtor last week and have been getting a few property listings sent so we do not have an established relationship yet. Would love any thoughts or personal experiences.

[Nathan Gesner]

Quote from @Shalen Takaaze:

This is very common. The agent doesn't get paid unless you buy/sell through them. If you want to work with six agents, five of them know they aren't going to get paid. In fact, Agent #1 could show you 20 houses and you could make the offer through Agent #4 and prevent Agent #1 from getting paid even though they did all the work. Nobody in their right mind would work with a client like that.

In my office, you agree to work with me exclusively or you can find another agent.