Listing agent fee?

[Realtor4you]

Realtor here. Bottom line is that the brokerage fee is negotiable. Most listings run today between 5-6%, some do run a bit higher if the seller is highly motivated and a few lower but these tend to linger longer on the market. I generally review the comparable properties with the seller and show them what the competing properties are offering. If many of the comparable homes are at 2.5%, than double it to 5%. Consider going in the middle. It doesn't hurt to be slightly higher than your neighbors either. If a broker comes in really low, ask yourself what will they not be doing to get your home sold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here: I don't think our house will be difficult to sell and it's definitely not $100K!

Don't the agents usually work that out among themselves as to the split? Is it my concern as the seller what the buyer's agent gets?

the contract will say what the split is.

Yes, because if the buyer's agent's cut is too low, they will steer their clients to another home. You want it so your agent takes the hit and the buyer's agent still gets 3%.

So if you talk someone down to 4.5%, and you require that they give the buyer's agent 3% and have them take 1.5%, knowing that maybe they see 1% of that after the split with their broker, and that out of that 1% they have to pay marketing costs, what do you think is going to happen?

I'll tell you.

You'll get unprofessional pictures that are blurry and have the agent's thumb in them, and sloppy marketing pieces. LOL. Good luck with that!

PP here. True. I should have mentioned that this is why I wouldn't go lower than 5%. And since we bought and sold, .5% came off of both transactions. We got excellent service and results on both buying and selling. (negotiated down from 6%.)

[Anonymous]

I agree, do not base your choice solely on the percentage. While it must be taken into account, ensure that you are also selecting an agent based on their knowledge of the area, their seeming eagerness to sell the property, their general people skills, etc. My agency, Capital Residential gets gold stars in all of these areas.