Hi Rocky,

Gary said it best and he has great advice. A buyer's agent's fee is not just for helping you locate the home, but also for assisting you through the process and representing your best interests. If you decide to go it alone with the listing agent, that agent is required by law to act in the best interests of their client, the seller of the home.

There will be several other crucial steps a buyer's agent will help with, not only will they help with negotiating the offer and helping you save money by getting the best price, but also they will help you with getting to the closing table, negotiating inspection issues, recommending service providers to provide estimates if necessary, and guide you through the process. I hope you're successful in your purchase!

The home seller pays the commission to his/her agent who then pays half (usually) to the buyers agent. In order for the buyers agent to receive any commission, you would have to have a contract with that buyers agent. If the buyers agent agrees to give you a rebate from that commission, then you can certainly get a rebate.

Just make sure you get the buyers agent before you submit an offer. If you submit an offer directly to the sellers agent, you may not be able to bring in your own agent - you may have to settle for the seller's agent or another agent in their office.

Is the home you found a "For Sale by Owner"? If so, you can certainly hire a buyer's agent to represent you in the purchase of the home. Very often the seller is willing to pay the commission. If they aren't, you have the option of hiring someone yourself and I certainly recommend doing that. As you read in one of the other answers, commissions are negotiable, so you would have that conversation with a person you want to have represent you and then that amount can simply be rolled into the offering price of the home and becomes a term of the contract. You don't mention where in Connecticut you are looking to purchase, but if it's in the southeast corner, down by the shore I would be happy to speak with you about working something out to help you make your purchase.
Pat Caron
Randall Realtors, GMAC
Mystic, CT 06355
860-235-3069

Like Cathrine said, commission's are negotiable. The seller typically is paying the commission rate for both the buyer's agent and the seller. I wouldn't go in thinking that if you are unrepresented that you'll get a better deal on the home. Also, I wouldn't trust that you'll have an easy go through the entire process without representation. A Realtor will be able to help guide you to the correct offering price. Do you understand the entire buying and closing process? Do you know when to get inspections, where to find them (are they reputable), how soon do repairs have to be made and how do you get that accomplished? Lawyers, title search, title insurance? These are just a few of the many items your Realtor will assist you with. You'll always do better with representation.

One last thing...When you are shopping and you find the items without the help of an employee...do you expect that the item should be discounted? I know what you are saying and I'm not trying to anger you with that last thought, but know this...Your Realtor will work for that commission. Good luck.

Gary McIntosh
McIntosh Realty
Keller Williams Prestige Properties
60 Long Ridge Rd.
Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 979-2132
GMcIntosh@kw.com http://www.McIntosh-Realty.com

Hi Rocky,
Commissions are negotiable in CT. However, usually the commission is paid by the seller. Has this seller agreed to pay a commission to an agent representing you? If so, then it is really between the seller and the agent. However, you can hire an agent to represent you for the offer and purchase, to negotiate for you, accompany you on an inspection, meet the appraiser, do a walk through, address any problems that come up along the way and/or as a result of an inspection, communicate with your attorney, etc. If a buyer found a house and wanted me to represent him in all the above, I would charge a commssion agreeable to both of us. If you are interested, I would be happy to talk to you! Just visit my website for my contact information.