In real estate, the term "procuring cause" refers to what?

Procuring cause is a key concept in real estate that specifically pertains to the agent responsible for initiating and facilitating the transaction between the buyer and the seller. This means the agent who effectively brings the two parties together, leading to a sale, is recognized as the one who has a legitimate claim to the commission for that transaction.

Understanding procuring cause is important because it establishes who is entitled to the commission when there are disputes between multiple agents. This role doesn't merely involve listing a property or being the first to submit an offer; rather, it is specifically about the actions taken by the agent that directly result in the successful transaction. For example, if an agent introduces a buyer to a property that ultimately sells, this agent is identified as the procuring cause.

In this context, recognizing the significance of who performs the actual work connecting the buyer and seller clarifies the responsibilities and rights of real estate agents throughout the process. So, the identifying characteristics of procuring cause focus on the role in bringing the involved parties together rather than merely sales volume or listing activity.