View Single Post
Old 03-18-2004, 08:05 AM  
TheSaint
Confirmed User
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Everywhere at once
Posts: 991
As explained, when you list a house you generally give an exclusive contract for a period of time, say 6 months.

If you do manage to screw a realtor out of the commision you would likely loose in court, if he finds out and sues you and the seller, and possibly have to pay triple or so damages as compensation for screwing the honest broker.

6% is cheap. The typical split is, 50/50 listing agent vs. seller. (9 times out of 10 the listing agent does not sell the house, somebody else does). Then typically the person that actually sells the house splits his share with the company netting him or her 1.5%

I have bought and sold a dozen houses and the system is stacked against going outside the multiple list system. "For Sale By Owner" often means the seller is a true asshole with an inflated expectation of what his property is worth.

It can be done though. I've got a pretty good sized estate here and when I move south in 4 years a friend in the business has advised me to sell it myself, but figure about 20K just for advertising and untold headaches and time. Don't know if its worth the pain to save 6%, personally.
__________________
I have no signature
TheSaint is offline   Share thread on Digg Share thread on Twitter Share thread on Reddit Share thread on Facebook Reply With Quote