Hi
Typical commission is 6% at this time, split 50-50, though not uncommon to see 7-8% with bonus going to selling agent. Most importantly, price it right! Don't think, "well, make me an offer", the buyer can't make an offer if they haven't seen it. They won't see it unless its in the price range they expect it to be in. Good Luck , let me know if I can help.

The most important thing you have to consider is to price your home to sell...this is not the time to see what the market is like...we know what it's like, and that is difficult and competitive. You should have an agent that will tell you the truth, which may not be what you want to hear. You need to be aggressive about pricing and marketing...commissions are always variable and there is really no set commission; however it is customary in this market right now to pay 6 or 7%.

Where is your home in Ft. Lauderdale. If you'd like to ask me specific questions, feel free to contact me, and I'll be glad to speak with you.

Firstly, you'd be very smart to list your home as soon as you can, because you should anticipate it being on the market for a few months. I'm working with several buyers now in your area and I'm seeing some super nice homes, well priced, in good condition and yet they've been for sale for 6 months - a year. A few years ago, we'd have asked ourselves, "what's wrong with this property" if it had been for sale more than 3 weeks, now that's a totally different situation.

Do everything you can to make the home presentable and attractive to a prospective buyer.... clean, tidy, fresh paint, update (especially kitchen and bathrooms) and clear any clutter. As much as you are in control as far as commissions are concerned - this is the time when you need to attract buyers and their Realtors. A Realtor isn't so keen to show a home where the commission is paying them less than most of the other properties they're showing, so do keep that in mind!

Matt is absolutely right, if your property is located well and priced right, it will sell - it may take longer than you'd hoped but it will sell - I do see plenty that won't unless they make significant improvements to either the home or the price!

It's very important that you choose an agent that you feel comfortable with, who is approachable and accustomed to working the way you and your SO work! Example: if you're a big email communicator, you don't want a Realtor who only checks email once a day or every couple of days. Be sure that their market analysis is thorough - they can present you with beautiful glossy folders but have they really researched your market? We're big on psychology and statistics and find that whatever the client - they like to understand WHY you're telling them a certain price.

If we can help you in any way at all - please don't hesitate to contact me. Drop me a note to let me know about your house. I'm working with investor clients from overseas who are all looking in Fort Lauderdale.

Thanks and don't worry, if you find a good Realtor, they should take all or most of that stress from you.

Best of luck to you,

Angela

When you look at commissions you have to look at two parts. Although you normally hear 5%, 6%, 7% or some other number the commission is really built of two parts. The first is the listing agent commission. This part of the commission pays for marketing your home, time spent, and negotiation skill. They also have to pay their office and other fees. There are agents that charge a flat fee, a small percentage and up from there. Some give limited service and some give what is known as full service. You should interview a few agents because as you can imagine the more charged the more marketing can be done. However that is not always the case. You could have an agent who charges 3% that does a lot of marketing, has a lot of expertise and gets homes sold, while others who charge 3% may do no more than one that charges 1% or 2%. And of course in some offices they have a policy as to what is charged. Therefore you can have two agents from the same office charging the same exact amount with one agent who has a great marketing plan, is an expert at negotiation and prevention problems, while another may be brand new, may have never negotiated a deal, and does not have the money to market the home. Remember agents make nothing unless they sell the home. If they work for you and have no money to market the home you will be very disappointed. Also make sure the agent is full-time. You do not want to be receiving and offer and find that your agent is on their other job and can't present the offer to you until the weekend or their day off.

The second part of the commission is what is given out to the agent who brings the buyer. Remember most homes are not sold by the listing agent. If you have 10,000 agents in the area, there is little chance that the one Realtor is going to sell the home.

In 2005, you could list a home at a low commission and sell the home quickly. This is because people were driving around to find a home. Often we would be putting up a sign and buyers would want to see the home then. We would not even have time to get it on the MLS or on Realtor.com.

In this buyers market, your home may be competing against 50 or 100 comparably sized homes, with similar prices in your area. You have to be able to make buyers want to see your home over the others, and make Realtors want to show your home before others. This is through great marketing that reaches the most buyers, and for Realtors an incentive to show your home before other comparable homes. This could be through a good commission or bonus, or incentives to buyers such as some of the closing costs paid, or HOA fees, or some other incentive.

In the Tampa area for example, we had a company that paid a two dollar commission to buyers agents to show the home, negotiate a contract, meet inspectors and appraisers at the home, and bring the deal to a successful closing. Lots of work for two dollars, while other sellers are offering 1%, 2%, 3% or more. If you had 50 comparable homes that you can show and are going to be showing six of them would you choose the two dollar homes or the ones that pay more?

You are not alone. Many homeowners are hopelessly upside down. I applaud you for trying to make a go of it and not walking away as many are doing.

I don't want to speak for most agents, but you are going to hear that the commission does not matter and that a "professional" agent can do this and can do that and how the "expert" in the market is worth their weight in gold and all the other typical talking points to guard the seemingly sacrosanct real estate commission.

Bottom line is this, ignore the cheerleading, find someone you like, who will perform a full service plan for you, make them COMMIT to a very good PAID marketing plan IN WRITING and make sure you have the ability to fire them at will if you are not satisfied. Make sure that is in writing as well. {many agents conveniently obtain amnesia so make sure that it is in your listing agreement that you can fire them at will}

Most importantly, you are HIRING someone. YOU dictate what you are willing to pay. All commissions are negotiable. Never let an agent tell you what they are going to charge, you tell them what you are willing to pay.

Some will walk, some won't and you'll be left to decide which agent you feel can best represent you at a cost your willing to pay.

Just understand that the cheapest agent is not necessarily the worst and the most expensive isn't necessarily the best.

It's all negotiable and I iwsh you well. Right now..I'll get out of the way so I can dodge the pitch forks!

p.s. find out if the agent is full time or not and make them put that in writing as well. As you know in this market, many agents are working real estate part-time and waiting tables on the side. It's up to you to ask if the "professional" is actually working full time. Most won't tell you.

The typical commission for selling a home or condo is 6% of the actual sales price. There are many agencies that offer discounts. We have a plan that we call HybridMLS.com - The marketing is equal to that of a full service agency but the seller retains the listing end of the fee or better yet, is able to reduce the selling price and pass the savings on to the buyer. The market is very competitive and at times brutal.

If the property is priced right and well located; IT WILL SELL!