Is it illegal to offer a finders fee for buying houses?

[Corey Reyment]

Can you offer a finders fee to people who give you a lead that turns in to a deal? There are some real estate agents in our area threatened by us and other investors (even though we buy properties that are not retail ready) and they are saying we can not offer a finders fee or advertise a finders fee for leads. Is this accurate, what makes it illegal if so, and what are other creative ways to drum up the bird dogs? 

[Jay Hinrichs]

@Corey Reyment if your worried about it simply call the real estate licensing agency and ask them.. opinions on BP are just that opinions and we all live and work in different states heck I bet a bunch of folks on BP have never even been to Green Bay... or WI  so go to the authorities and get a definitive answer it won't cost you anything and you will know what is legal and what the state will frown upon.