It was simple for me to get 3% - I just kept saying the amount of the commission in absolute dollars - and kept saying "No" to any other suggestion. He listed the house for 3%.
I was a realtor for a couple of years, and realize the realtor doesn't work any harder to sell a $100K home than a $500K home. Put it in MLS, put it in the paper, and wait. If it's a $500K home (the average home around NYC where I am) 3% is $15K. Most of the realtors I know would sell a family member for $15K, never mind your house.
Again, 3% on a $100K house may not be enough to get them interested.
By the way, I have had my house up for sale for 6 months and just took it off the market until after the holidays. The market is slow here these days! >
