Seller financing and agent fees

[Miguel Del Mazo]

Thanks in advance for your help.

I think I've found a good potential, large MF deal that would work well with a seller financing strategy. The properties are in a great school zone in an area that continues to draw in new tenants, has a diverse job market and enjoys great weather. Even at current, well below market rents, the 50 doors would generate 14k a month after paying the seller for the mortgage which leaves a lot to hire a property management company and save for CapEx. The properties are fairly new and externally (haven't seen the inside) are in pretty good shape.

My question is, when I approach the seller, who is using an agent, how do we negotiate the agent's fees? A typical 3% would require several hundred thousand dollars to be paid at closing. Asking the seller to pay that would be customary, but normally they are the one receiving a lump sum at closing. The deal still works if I pay the agent and the agent is willing to loan their fee at the same rate and terms I would ask of the seller, but would any agent be willing to do that? 

Thanks again for your help.