You need to have an exclusion in your listing agreement. At an open house you need to disclose immediately that you are not the agent but the owner.

You could have an agent use a dual/variable commission setup whereby the agent would pay one commission rate if the property sold with the REALTOR and/or someone that you brought them and another commission would be paid if another REALTOR were to sell the property. Not many agents are open to doing things like this but if you are interested in getting multi list exposure give us a call and we can help you out.

Sb
You have asked a good question. There is room for a lot of negotiation between seller and agent. Here are a few thoughts that might help you make that decision.

The difficulty with the scenario that you describe is that it is sometimes impossible to tell what, or who, is procuring cause. A neighbor sees the Realtors for sale sign and calls you directly to ask a bout the price. Did the Realtor help secure that sale by putting the sign on the property? Or is that your sale? What about a coworker that sees the ad in the newspaper, recognizes your house and asks you about it at work. Who brought the property to their attention?? The seller or the real estate agent-via their ad?
You see the difficulty. Does that agent get paid for their time and effort, not to mention expense?

Another thought to consider:: if the buyer is 'saving the commission' , what benefit is that to you?? Are you as skilled at negotiating the sale as your agent?? What about the various contingencies that might arise-- are you comfortable with handling all the details of bringing an offer to the closing table--where you get paid :)) ?

Are you, the seller, winning in the long run?? As an experienced career REALTOR, I know that I COULD maintenance my car by myself. I could change the oil, rotate the tires and replace the filters-- with a little research, anyhow.

The question I have to ask myself is, "Why would I want to!?!" It is much more worth my time to hire someone to do that job for which they are trained, skilled, and have the right equipment to do efficiently. I can then focus on doing what I AM trained, skilled and have the knowledge to do efficiently--sell houses!

I make my clients an offer that goes beyond what many would consider reasonable. I promise to diligently work to find a buyer for their property. I will spend MY money to buy signage and advertising space, pay the dues to join the local MLS (maybe more thatn one), keep continually updated on financing options, market values and trends in real estate. I will help you to stage your property so that it shows to it's best advantage, network with other agents who may have a buyer for your property, spend my gas and time to drive prospective buyers to look at your house, then take several evenings and weekends to do it all over again when that first prospect decides that it is not what they are lookin for. On top of that, if I have NOT been sucessful by the expiration of our contracted agreement, I do not expect you to pay me ANYTHING! WOW!!
Look for that kind of an agent to sell your house,(there are plenty of good ones out there) and you maybe won't need to bother 'rotating the tires' yourself.

Hope that helps
Mim

I really doubt an agent would allow that. In the suburban Philadelphia area, most listings are exclusive right to sell listings. Perhaps if your area has "open listings", then naturally the rule is whomever brings the buyer gets the commission.

Everything is negotiable. Including the lising contract. It just usually does not happen. If you spoke to your broker about it, he/she may agree to it. You never know unless you ask them. If you are already listed with your agent, you may have to wait until the listing has expired before relisting with your terms if agreed upon.

Hope that helps.

Terrence Charest

Some brokers will take exclusive agency listings, which would afford you what you want. If you find the buyer, you are on your own though.