That's ok 5-6% more is a good talking point for those alergic to scripts.

Mr & Mrs Seller, the fact is that an agent will sell the house for about 5-6% more than a For Sale By Owner. So wouldn't make sense instead of you doing all the work and exposing yourself to litigation especially if you were going to net the same amount.

Let's do the right thing and go ahead and sign the contract that way I can get your home sold, won't that be great.

The 16% number the NAR throws around is so easy to poke holes in that it isn't funny. But, there are value added services we provide. I wrote a post examining the real cost of using an agent v. going unrepresented. For all but the most expensive homes, it isn't worth it... and my high end buyers aren't the ones that think about going unrepresented.

If all you are talking about is price and commission, no wonder sellers try to do it on their own.  There are numerous reasons to pay an agent to list and sell a home, and if I was making that list price and commission would be at the bottom.  In this market with the banking crisis and stalled market there are many other reasons to use an agent.  The key for sellers is to find the agent that knows what they are rather than work on statistical assumptions.

Mark, the main reason for working with a REALTOR is the protection and insulation it provides the Seller, not the pricing.