We are always willing to negotiate our commission.  We never mind charging more than usual if the prospective client wants to negotiate upward.

That's not funny.  I have actually done that.  If it's a property that is going to take more time and effort then the commission goes up.  This does happen often.

David, I've presented the Which would you like   6-7or 8%.   They were shocked.

Well why would I charge different amounts?

Harder to sell therfore more expensive to sell was the answer OR I would be quite flippant and say Because I Make More Money That Way.

My dentist doesn't charge less when I have more work to do.  He charges me more.

They want to pay less and I would like to charge then I ask what service would you like me to remove?

The only time I reduced my commission is when the seller was purchasing with me at the same time.

David.  They never consider the mortgage cost if the house is vacant or the effect a delay can have on the future of their money,  Karen

The dirty word, we need to find a cleaner word to use for Fees

Commissions are negotiable but consumers need to ask what they are paying for.  It costs a lot of money to advertise property and to do a good job marketing.

David,

Great points and great post !  You are right... many times the agent that will immediately accept the reduced commission for the seller is not doing that much business and is not spending much money on marketing !! Not really what a seller really wants.  Besides, if the agent is going to do that right away, what are they going to do when a deal comes in for the seller ?  Hopefully negotiate better !! Yeah, right... wont happen.

It is best, especially in this market, to stay with the standard rate per se as it mutually beneficial to all the parties.  Not for nothing, I think there is a strong case to increase the commission to say 6.5 or 7 percent in some instances due to the importance and focus on marketing, advertisting...etc.  That probably will not happen though : )

Also wrote a similar post about a month ago about Flat Fee Listings  - let me know what you think !

Philadelphia Real Estate

Great Blob and I answer this question well.  I attended a Kim Dickey Seminar and have learned so much for when speaking with a prospective Seller.  My Professional Fee is acknowledged up front and by the end of our appointment I have them convinced that if they don't use me they will be losing money by using less reputable agents or discount brokers.

Thank you for your post.  I enjoyed reading it as well as the comments made by everyone else.  We do function in a competitive industry and the cost to seller's is often a factor in getting a listing.  Above and beyond all that, service to our clients is paramount.

And that service that we provide comes at a cost.  Why should the agent be stuck when we are all in busness to make money.  If we can't make the right amount of money for the job we are doing, we should just go flip burgers.

"Will I cut my commision? No. Next question."

AMEN!!!!

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