Real estate agents should avoid buying a listing

What does it mean to “buy a listing”?

Buying a listing as it relates to real estate agents and their careers,
means taking the listing at a price considerably higher than the homes
market analysis indicates the home is worth; with the seller’s full   
knowledge that the desired price is too high for the current market. 
Agreeing to take this type of listing is often called “buying the listing”.

Agents who “buy listings” or agree to list properties higher than the
property is worth are not doing the sellers any favors and are most
likely newer agents or agents who are not enjoying success in their
business.  These agents fall victim to magical thinking, the belief 
that even though the property is too high, somehow a buyer will 
magically appear and pay more than the home is worth.  Or, they are usually not confident in their own ability to procure and then sell good salable listings and have
no real valuable marketing plan to offer home sellers.

Successful agents understand that when sellers desired price has
absolutely no chance of being obtained, listing the property will only
result in disappointment and frustration to the seller and   
themselves.  If the seller is unable or unwilling to list at the   
correct price, the realtor needs to politely decline the listing   
stating their reasons.

Buying a listing does not result in a commission check and it will   
cost you time and money you may never recover.