A recent legal settlement has shaken up that system, opening the door for buyers and sellers to haggle over who pays what — and how much.
For decades, home sellers typically covered both their own agent’s commission and the fee for the buyer’s broker, a structure that left little room for negotiation. But a recent legal settlement has shaken up that system, opening the door for buyers and sellers to haggle over who pays what — and how much.
In the Bay Area, many agents ask for a 2.5% or 3% commission — a rate they say is justified given their experience and market knowledge, and the time they take to help clients navigate the process of buying and selling a home. Agents may also face pressure from brokerages, which may receive anywhere between 15% to 30% of that commission, to keep fees close to 2.5%.
Although some agents don’t budge on their rates, some will under the right circumstances. Here’s how a buyer or seller can strengthen their hand in negotiations:
Show that you’re serious. Matt Castillo, an East Bay agent, said that part of the reason agents set their fees around 2.5% is because it’s so uncertain whether their client will actually close — and the agent will get paid.
