MLS Fees, from my soapbox!

By
Real Estate Agent with Homestars Realty

Now more than ever, I know that we have to be watching our expenses and doing all that we can to make money! But I have a gripe! We are getting out of control with the exorbitant MLS fees some agents are charging! Banks are taking away our commission, we have to pay our brokerage company and now we are gouging each other.

If the agents don't look out for and try to help one another, who will? We are all working hard right now. Seller's representatives have the expenses of carrying a listing and probably dealing with a bank if it is a short sale or REO. But Buyer's representatives are working their tales off as well. Buyer's have so many options. I would venture to guess from my experience that we are showing buyers an average of 10-15 homes before they decide on one. Many times they want to see more of the vast inventory that is out there or wait to see if the prices come down further. When they do make an offer, it is typically a low one! I am not complaining about what the buyers are doing, it's understandable but as a representative of one, we work hard for our commission these days. For us to work that hard and then have to take a 2 or 2.5% commission because that is all the bank will allow and and on top of it to have the listing agent charge you a $395 MLS fee is absurd!

I stand in protest! My team and I will lead by example! We vow never to charge the MLS fee again. I hope some of you will follow our example! If I stand alone, that's okay too. I feel it's the right thing to do!

Okay, I'll come down now. Can someone lend me a hand?

 

Comments (5)

Dana Gibby
Vanguard Commercial, LLC - Jackson, GA
Asst. Living Facilities

Hey Bob,

I have not heard of agents in GA charging each other MLS fees. I will stand with you and say my company will not do it.

Jun 12, 2008 02:16 AM
Hope Goss
Ventura Property Shoppe - Ventura, CA
Ventura Real Estate

I haven't seen any agents charging each other MLS fees in my area.  We still have a few crazy agents putting out 2% commissions to the buyers agent - but those properties tend to linger on the market for a very long time.

Jun 12, 2008 02:32 AM
Lane Bailey
Century 21 Results Realty - Suwanee, GA
Realtor & Car Guy

An agent charging an MLS fee... I guess I am living sheltered.  I'm not seeing it here.  Maybe our rules aren't letting it happen here.  But, that would seriously torque me.  I would probably make up some offsetting junk fee for them, too. 

You know, something like a $499 "I brought you a buyer and this is covering your BS" fee.

Jun 12, 2008 02:33 AM
ActiveRain City and State Listing Group
Christiansted, VI

Welcome to the world of real estate. We work in the world of commissions sales. We are supposed to be NEGOTIATORS.

We can decide to show or not show a listing based on the commission we will get paid, or not. But if the buyer is a CLIENT, we must do whatever it takes to put the best interests of our CLIENT first.

Our showings should NOT be based on the commission we will receive. Besides, you, as a buyer's agent, can negotiate the commission that you expect to be paid by the buyer, if the commission the listing agent is offering is not high enough to suit you.

It is not clear what you mean by Agents charging MLS fees.

Commission rates charged to sellers by listing agents are ALWAYS negotiable and there is no requirement that the buyer's agent not attempt to negotiate a higher split from the listing agent.

Jun 12, 2008 02:33 AM
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

The time for the "discount" versus "traditional" commission has come and gone.  The new words I see from consumer posts all over the web are "reasonable" and "exorbitant". 

Sep 14, 2015 09:02 AM