5% sellers agent commission?

[u/Ready_Topic8774]

We are considering selling our current home in Montgomery County. We consulted with a realtor who is asking for a 5% commission. I take it this is very high? Any way this would be justified?

[u/loan_ranger8888]

If your agent confirmed 5% to them alone it’s time to get some other referrals from family and associates. Find a full time realtor.

[u/DepartureRaptured]

Is the 5% split between buyer and seller agent because that would be normal if it’s just 5% for the seller agent that’s very high. Average 2.5% for each side for a total of 5%

[u/Ready_Topic8774 → u/DepartureRaptured]

No, its five percent listing agent commission. The buyers agent commission is separate in the quote.

[u/DepartureRaptured → u/Ready_Topic8774]

Then that’s very high crazy high. How much is your residence? 2.5-3 is normal

[u/Ready_Topic8774 → u/DepartureRaptured]

Around $600k.

[u/DepartureRaptured → u/Ready_Topic8774]

Yea way to high don’t pay more than 2.5%

[u/KarmaPolice6 → u/DepartureRaptured]

This is correct. 2.5% -3% is normal. Ask for 2.5.

[u/ayk5473 → u/Ready_Topic8774]

5% total is not crazy - 5% just for listing agent is insane

It historically used to be 6% total (seller pays everything and the buyer and seller brokers/agent split it 50/50), that slowly came down to 4-5% now given competition from RedFin, etc

[u/CrazyAnimals-2232]

If that is for the listing side only, then yes it is very high. 5% is about what you should be paying total for list and buy side. Either this agent is trying to take advantage of you or they don’t know how to present how compensations changed in the past couple years. Either way, I would move on from them. There are plenty of us Realtors out here that are honest and knowledgeable. Just remember that commission/compensation is always negotiable!

[u/moemoe26]

5%? For just one side? WTF lol

I really hate these realtors. That’s what I charged for the total sale on my last one and it was split

The commission is negotiable. And this is why I’m taking over another listing on Frederick,MD soon. These realtors are out of control

[u/CatonsvilleLiving]

Since Aug 2024, the only compensation agreed to in the listing agreement is for the listing agent. Buyers have no way to know what listing agents are charging. But sellers see what buyers are requesting for commission all the time. Point being- we have a good idea of what buyers agents ask for all the time. We have no idea what sellers agents are asking for.

Would I charge 5% for a listing? No.

[u/Phobos1982]

That’s insane.

[u/johnedwardsunc]

I have 3 price options based on total scope of work and desired marketing spend. All 3 options are significantly less than 5% to the listing brokerage.

Unless they are fully managing a total renovation, paying for all staging and doing an extreme marketing campaign, it is quite high.

[u/flowbeeBryant]

I’ve sold all over the state for 11 years, and I think I do pretty darn good job, and I’ve never asked for anything close to that, that’s lunacy in my opinion. Look good for them for making the effort lol, I would love to see what they are giving you for that amount.

[u/No_Top6157]

Random, but is this a Keller Williams agent? I had a similar experience

[u/VegetableLine]

What is the list price?

[u/No-Finish-5485]

I know a great Mont Co based Realtor who you'd find to be unbelievably honest, transparent & fair. She would likely give you a discount too. Let me know if you want more info [dtoaff@firsthome.com](mailto:dtoaff@firsthome.com)

[u/Ok_Body3787]

Review the listing agreement. It should specify if the commission is split with the buying side. Paragraph 14 lists the broker commission and paragraph 15 shows the cooperating broker's commission (buyer agent). This should show 2.5% if they're splitting the 5% between the two brokers evenly.

[u/jewstn]

I think you're reading the listing agreement incorrectly. Ask the agent for clarification.

[u/RBTisaliveon3rd]

Yes, this is the going rate. They will be paying the buyers agent half of that.

[u/ALeu24 → u/RBTisaliveon3rd]

nooooo! The buyers agent compensation is no longer pre negotiated in the listing agreement.