Advice on Negotiating Agent Commission?

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We found a house and want to make an offer.

Used Redfin last time and it was okay but not great. Have a realtor that a friend recommended. Can we negotiate something with the agent? Anyone have experience with this?

It’s not like she would have to go around and show us tons of properties. We just need her to get the offer ready and deal with the seller’s agent.

What would be reasonable? 2%?


Commission paid to buyer agent is set by the listing agent


Yes, but she wants a portion of that rebated you her which is reasonable.


How is that reasonable?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We are selling in the $750k range. What is a good rate as sellers? Realtors have been telling us 5% (2.5% per agent). Our house should be an easy sell, requires no work before listing besides light landscaping for spring, and no staging required. How much room is there for negotiation? We don't want to sell it without an agent.


Why not use Redfin for 1.5%? Especially for an easy sell.


PP here. We've asked if the agent could go to 4% (Redfin percentage for seller (1.5%) & buyer (2.5%) but was wondering what the norm is now with Redfin and other discount agents. Is it likely a traditional agent will match 4%?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We are selling in the $750k range. What is a good rate as sellers? Realtors have been telling us 5% (2.5% per agent). Our house should be an easy sell, requires no work before listing besides light landscaping for spring, and no staging required. How much room is there for negotiation? We don't want to sell it without an agent.


Why not use Redfin for 1.5%? Especially for an easy sell.


PP here. We've asked if the agent could go to 4% (Redfin percentage for seller (1.5%) & buyer (2.5%) but was wondering what the norm is now with Redfin and other discount agents. Is it likely a traditional agent will match 4%?


We sold with Redfin for 3.5%. 2.5% to buyer's agent and 1% to Redfin. We couldn't find a traditional agent to match that, although we only reached out to a couple.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We found a house and want to make an offer.

Used Redfin last time and it was okay but not great. Have a realtor that a friend recommended. Can we negotiate something with the agent? Anyone have experience with this?

It’s not like she would have to go around and show us tons of properties. We just need her to get the offer ready and deal with the seller’s agent.

What would be reasonable? 2%?


Commission paid to buyer agent is set by the listing agent


Yes, but she wants a portion of that rebated you her which is reasonable.


How is that reasonable?


Because all the agent will do is to fill out a standard form. They did not even have to open the door. How is it reasonable to pay them 3% of the list price for that?
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We found a house and want to make an offer.

Used Redfin last time and it was okay but not great. Have a realtor that a friend recommended. Can we negotiate something with the agent? Anyone have experience with this?

It’s not like she would have to go around and show us tons of properties. We just need her to get the offer ready and deal with the seller’s agent.

What would be reasonable? 2%?


Commission paid to buyer agent is set by the listing agent


Yes, but she wants a portion of that rebated you her which is reasonable.


How is that reasonable?


Because all the agent will do is to fill out a standard form. They did not even have to open the door. How is it reasonable to pay them 3% of the list price for that?



How interesting that you think a buyer’s agent’s work is done after opening a door.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:We found a house and want to make an offer.

Used Redfin last time and it was okay but not great. Have a realtor that a friend recommended. Can we negotiate something with the agent? Anyone have experience with this?

It’s not like she would have to go around and show us tons of properties. We just need her to get the offer ready and deal with the seller’s agent.

What would be reasonable? 2%?


Commission paid to buyer agent is set by the listing agent


Yes, but she wants a portion of that rebated you her which is reasonable.


How is that reasonable?


Because all the agent will do is to fill out a standard form. They did not even have to open the door. How is it reasonable to pay them 3% of the list price for that?



How interesting that you think a buyer’s agent’s work is done after opening a door.


No, as I said, they will also need to fill out a form and maybe answer a couple of questions. I still don’t see how that is worth 3% of the transaction.
Steve
Member Offline
Anonymous wrote:We found a house and want to make an offer.

Used Redfin last time and it was okay but not great. Have a realtor that a friend recommended. Can we negotiate something with the agent? Anyone have experience with this?

It’s not like she would have to go around and show us tons of properties. We just need her to get the offer ready and deal with the seller’s agent.

What would be reasonable? 2%?


Pretty easy: "Hi X, I've toured 1234 Main St and I'd like to put in an offer at $X. Would you be willing to represent me on this transaction for a Y% rebate?"

I've done this arrangement for a few buyers. In a competitive environment you'll still want to find an agent that's got a decent reputation among other agents. The offer has to be presented well. If you're offering well over list price and waiving contingencies then it matters less.
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