Lonnie

Thanks Deborah,
Being the seller and neogoiating a commission with the agent, I guess I just did not expect to have to be approached on this subject again. These fee's should be discussed with the buyer and then the buyer should turn the contract down if the contingency is not accepted by the seller. In this case the buyers agent turned the contract down.
Regardings JR's response - the buyer agent is working for the client (Has an established relationship).
Thank you all for helping me understand common practice. I will be the buyer soon and will be very selective of the agent in hopes that I or the seller will not be caught by surprise by this. - Mon Jun 30 2008, 11:46

Thank you JR for your answer, I guess the problem I have is that the buyers agent refused to present the contract back to the buyer and appears to be working not for the buyer's best interest but his own self interest. The commission for the sale of the house is listed upfront on the MLS and he did not have to show the house if he wasn't happy with his share.
The buyer is the customer and without the buyer he would have zero! I work with contract prices for consulting services and yes sometime I do have to accept less and other times I get a little more. Bottom line I work for the client and build my reputation on that.
Thank you again for trying to help me see a differnt side. - Mon Jun 30 2008, 07:00

Thank you all for all the comments on this question. I will follow some of the advice that has been offered. I am appreciative of all the time and energy spent on this question and look forward to having the help during the relocation phase. - Wed Jun 18 2008, 16:53

Greenwood, SC is the place to be - it is 1/2 way to the mountains and 1/2 to the beach. There are a large number of golf course if interested, lots of activities on lake greenwood and it is large enough to have everything and quiet enough to allow time for bird watching, star gazing and relaxing under a shady tree to read a book. Spencer Owens is a realtor that features all the lakeland homes. By the way, I am not a realtor I just know that when we came to SC it has truly been a wonderful life. Good luck! - Fri Jun 13 2008, 08:00