Listing Commissions
Real estate brokers normally charge a commission for listing and selling your home. The rate varies, both by region and according to service level. In most areas the commission is calculated as a percentage of the sales price and rates of up to 7% are not uncommon.  Your listing contract will specify both the amount of the commission and the timing for when it will be paid.  Like everything else in real estate, commissions are negotiable.

Our commissions
It wasn’t to long ago that commissions below the “going rate” for an area were all but unheard of.  These days though, there are many brokers and agents willing to list your home for considerably less than the 7% that might be typical for the area.  You need to be aware though, that lower commissions are nearly always tied to lower levels of service.  Most agents willing to list your home for a bargain commission rate aren’t going to do any advertising or marketing of your home.

This is NOT the case when you list your home with us. For a 5% commission rate we still provide all of the full service features and services that you would only expect to get at 6% or 7% commission rates. Certain criteria applies so call us for details.

 We do not just list it with the local MLS and put a sign in your yard. We provide full service, and spend considerable time and money to advertise and market your home – particularly on the Internet. Our goal is to sell your home in the shortest period of time for the highest possible price.

Often, lower commissions will be part of a package deal where you agree to use a particular mortgage broker. Although we do have preferred lenders and closing companies, we do not require you to use them to get the lower commission rate. There are some good bargains to be had with these package deals.  But again, it pays to examine the details closely, and make sure the whole package fits your needs.

Paying commissions
It’s important to understand how commissions are earned, and when they are paid.  Your specific listing agreement will spell out the details.  In general, a broker is considered to have held up his end of the bargain when he brings you a “ready, willing and able” buyer.  If the broker finds such a buyer, and you change your mind and back out of the deal at the last minute, the broker is probably going to expect you to pay the commission anyway, since he did his job.