Is it appropriate for an agent to leave an option fee at the title company instead of delivering it to the seller?

An option fee in a real estate transaction is typically a payment made by a buyer to the seller to secure the exclusive right to purchase the property for a specified time. The correct answer emphasizes the importance of direct delivery of the option fee to the seller.

Delivering the option fee personally to the seller assures that the seller has received the payment, which can potentially prevent disputes or misunderstandings later. It establishes a clear and documented transaction between the parties involved. When the fee is not handed directly to the seller, there could be issues regarding whether the seller was indeed paid, leading to complications about the validity of the option.

While other choices might provide certain conditions under which leaving the fee at the title company could be seen as acceptable, they do not meet the standard expectations for such transactions. The direct delivery ensures clarity and mutual agreement and upholds the best practices in real estate dealings.