Is it offensive to negotiate the commission?

I would recommend interviewing agents to determine the one that is the right fit for you and then concentrate on who will get you the highest NET for your property based on their negotiation skills to benefit you. The 1st thing I would ask... is if they are willing to negotiate away their own income how quickly will they negotiate away your net profits? If the agent will not stand for their own income, they will certainly not stand up for you with strong negotiation skills. Just something to think about when interviewing agents....

I understand you want to save money but you get what you pay for.

I would find an agent that will do what it takes to negotiate and get you the most for your property. Typically, the more you make the more they do, so that is incentive for them to get the most they can on your behalf. If they accept less commission, they may be less motivated.

No offense taken! Everything is negotiable. Good Luck!

Hello Aaron. Agents and Brokers get asked to negotiate their commissions very often. I often answer with this question: Do you negotiate with your physician when you visit them? Do you negotiate with your Dentist, CPA, Financial Planner or any other professional? Likely not. Agents work very hard and often behind the scenes. The bulk of the work for you to sell your home is often done during the negotiation phase and the time between contract and closing. When you are asking for a reduced commission do consider that you may in turn get reduced services on marketing your home. The trade off is rarely worth it. I personally just paid a Realtor I hired to sell some recreational property 8%. His expertise was invaluable and he got more for the sale because of the contacts he knew. I hope this helped.

Some agents will take offense but ultimately you will want to evaluate what the best situation is for you. I recommend bringing your goals and needs up immediately when you are interviewing agents and then allow them to make the decision on if they will be a good fit for you. If you try to negotiate on the back end after the work has already started you will find agents may start to slip in their quality. If everyone knows what is expected and agrees on terms then there is less likely for an event where your best interests are at stake.