[ColdNoMore]

FSBO's eliminate...a lot of these issues.

And these days, thanks to the good old interweb, going that route...is easier than ever.

I've always considered the 'suggested standard' of paying 6% by the seller (sometimes a bit less, typically by those a little more desperate)...as analogous to 'unwritten collusion.'

Oftentimes an agent will under-price your home, because quite frankly the difference in their commission between say $350K and $325K isn't all that much ($1.5K) and is a secondary issue, compared to getting a quick sale (and thus a quick paycheck)...which can outweigh the piddly little extra in commission.

NOT so piddly to the seller ($23.5K LESS to seller)...of course.

Here's an interesting opinion piece...on the practice.

Why Do I Have to Pay My Real Estate Agent 6%? | Credit.com


Having said that and in the interest of being fair, sometimes when a house is a tough sell (for a lot of reasons) and if the agent spends time/money marketing your home and pushing to get top price...the 6% might be well worth it.