should i get my own realtor since i made an offer on a house with no realtor but agent still wants 6%

[Cam Mckin]

hi everyone this is a follow up to my previous question i am thinking that if i have to pay this realtor that is representing the seller 6 percent i might as well get my own realtor to represent me.  mainly because the sellers realtor is trying to get me to pay all of the closing costs.  i purchased homes in nevada california and florida and it is usually the seller who pays them but maybe alabama is different?  i am thinking that if i get my own realtor to represent me maybe they could negotiate better terms.  i was a little hesitant to do this as the sellers realtor wants 6 percent and i don't want to have to pay another 3 percent to my own realtor.  Do you think i have to worry about this or is the commission for the entire transaction capped at 6 percent?   Thanks for any info.

[Corby Goade]

I've been in this situation before too. I think there are two ways you can go. If you feel comfortable with the negotiation and closing process, meaning, you could adequately represent yourself, then I would use that leverage to negotiate a lower commission with that agent. Even if they want you to pay closing, you can play the good guy and do that, but negotiate a lower commission so that you still come out ahead.

If you aren't comfortable representing yourself OR the seller's agent is not receptive to a lower commission, then what do you have to lose by hiring your own agent? In either of those scenarios, your agent can only help you.

I would think that the agent would be willing to work with you on their commission- the second you call your own agent, they lose a very easy 3%.

All that being said, the one time I was in this situation, I tried to negotiate a lower commission with the seller's agent, and she was completely offended and said it was unethical for me to even ask her to lower her commission. So, I called my agent, he put in my offer about 20 minutes later, and she lost about $4K in less than half an hour.

Best of luck!