What would you do for your clients?

I have been a full time realtor since 1999 and got my license in 1997. It is amazing what we will do to get a deal to work. Not only that, buyers expect it as well as the seller's most of the time. Your most educated buyers know that the market is poor and that there are other realtors out there that will cut their commissions clear down to 1% if they have to. I have done that as well, especially like you, were getting the 3% from the purchase of their new home. I think that is fairly acceptable and nice to do. I tell my sellers that I don't do that for everyone and to please pass my name along whenever appropriate. It has worked well for me. I had a seller's realtor purchase oven racks for my female buyer once because her male seller spilled a bunch of stuff of them and they got "dirty". Guess how much the oven racks were? Over $100.00! I once had to re-wind fax film and missed a very important request of the washing machine from one of my listings. Needless to say, I had to purchase a similar washer and/or give credit toward a new one for the buyer. My mistake, my dime! We all do things to make a deal work, don't beat yourself up about the 2 thousand dollars. Have a good day!

First the question always comes into play - who is you client? The buyer or the seller? The first thing people will always ask you to do is cut your commission. Since you negotiated that in the beginning, we typically try to avoid re-negotiating that when we are in the midst of home sales negotiations. Emotions at this point are always at an all time high. If it comes down to a few thousand dollars, depending on the cost/commission that is going to be paid out - we typically look to split it with the other agent.

We often cut our commission. At the moment, with the interest rates running in the 15% (we operate in Namibia), the market is so tough that we have to compromise all the way. By law we are allowed 7% commission, but we often operate around 3%, which is very low. I have given my agents a free hand to negotiate on commissions, just to get the deals closed. There is no sense to hold out and then another agent comes by and sells the property (most property owners detest sole mandates!).

the most i did was accept a commission based on the sellers assist instead of the sales price - only maybe a couple hundred bucks less. I never cut my commission less than 5%...they may have taken your inexperience to their advantage...but i know when you're just starting you're so desperate for that sale...so don't get angry, just learn the language better to help make sure you get a paycheck too :) keep in mind one sale usually leads to another - make sure you get some bragging rights out to your soi & farm that you just closed on a house!!