Ask For A Commison Discount?

**Wimbley** · 01-26-2010, 09:15 PM

We are closing this Friday on a house and will be listing our current house shortly with the same Realtor (Do not have a listing agreement yet).

My Realtor said that because both transactions will be going through her, she'd only charge 5% commission on the sale of our current house. I am grateful, though I have recently seen other Realtors advertise 4.5 % listings (and they were not the Realtor that helped us purchase our new house).

I believe I will ask for the 4.5 % listing or possibly go with another Realtor. The 1/2 percent is approx $2k. Do you get less service with a 4.5 % listing Realtor? Thoughts?

Thank you.

**Greg** · 01-27-2010, 06:08 AM

Originally Posted by Wimbley

Do you get less service with a 4.5 % listing Realtor? Thoughts?

Thank you.

If you look around you can probably find an agent willing to do it for $500.00

You only ever get what you pay for, if that.

**BoiseRealEstateSoup** · 01-27-2010, 06:46 AM

Today, everyone will do it for less. Period. And in most cases, thats what you'll get, less service.

Representing you as buyer and as a seller is no less work, and she is doing you a favor by offering you a discount.

Selling in any market is more time consuming and costly than purchasing, and if you completely reduce your agents commission, there will be little extras she can do to get your home sold.

It's not worth saving another .5% to start from scratch. Your current agent knows you, understands your goals, knows how to communicate with you and your style. At this point, she's an asset and is likely due for an increase in pay not less.

Let me ask you this: Was your agent able to negotiate you a good price and terms on the house you just bought? I'd be my next paycheck that she did! That said, you should stick with her not just because of financial reasons, but it's also the right thing to do.

Sheesh, next thing you know, people will try and outsource their representation to Taiwan just to get a discount...[/end rant]

**TexasLeaseHouses** · 01-31-2010, 01:12 AM

We've reduced our commission for double ended deals as yours before and are happy to do so, reasonably. The issue these days is that with the rising costs of doing business (fuel, marketing, etc.) and the depreciating costs of real estate, we're doing more and getting paid less yet we have the same bills and families to take care of as everyone else.

Here's a scenario to think about. I'm not sure what you do exactly, but let's say that you are someone who works for a company. Now what if you were asked to do the same amount of work (or more), but for half your current salary? How would you feel? Would you quit and find another job?

This has helped many of my clients understand that we love our business, but we have to feed our children too.

Good luck on your new home!!!