Do I have to pay so much in real estate agent commissions when I sell my home?

You're not alone if you asked this question. In fact, I found this article from MSNBC that reported from a study released by consumer reports: 71 percent of sellers who negotiated for lower commissions with their brokers were successful. But only 46 percent of sellers surveyed tried.

So, less than half of us are even asking and of those asking, almost three quarters are successful. That's a pretty good success rate, huh!?

Also interesting is that: 'Those who paid commissions of 3 percent were just as satisfied with their broker’s performance as those who paid 6 percent, the study found. In fact, those who paid higher commissions were more likely to have regrets about the selling experience. Nearly one-third of them said they should have been more aggressive in negotiating a fee.'

Should have, would have, could have!

In summary and the first line of the article: 'Don’t be shy about haggling over what you pay your real estate agent!'

Last thing and then you can read the full article yourself if you want. According to Mark Kotin (directory of the survery research at Consumer Reports), "Sellers were most likely to get lower fees from independent and RE/MAX brokers." He continued, “But they will all negotiate. Just ask for it. It’s like buying a car. A lot of people think (the price) is set, but it’s not.”

Read the full story >>

Story from MSNBC (Associated Press)

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Wouldn't it be nice if there was a system that helped you negotiate the agent fee? This is where DoorFly.com comes in. We're working to open up home seller "auctions" where agents will compete for your business by offering you a rebate or reduction on commission fees when selling your home. At DoorFly, you can compare agent qualifications by reviewing profiles. Then, you can consider the offers in combination with experience and make the best choice.

Right now, DoorFly.com has home buyer auctions available. Check it out! Seller auctions are coming soon...