Quick background to paint the picture;

I’m a home buyer either looking for a primary residence or rental, each deal is different and serves a different purpose.

For this deal we’re looking at the value in the land and the future as a primary residence. Wife, raise kids etc.

Home listed for $499k, appraised value at $480k. I go directly with selling agent and get the inside scoop—- appraise value at $480 and 4 offers on the table. 505k, 515k, 525k, 555k. We go in at 530K best offer I’m going to do taking into account down payment, conventional Loan, payment, etc. all this is relayed to realtor.

We get a counter at 550K. I get on the phone with agent and start talking numbers, explain that the money for the Home either comes from me or him (in the form of commission) . He tells me he’s been trying to help me by giving me the inside scoop and that if I go 540k I will get the house although there’s that 555k offer? I’m confused so I say that if I hypothetically were to go up 5K and he goes down 1% in commission, we’d be good. He says he’s not budging on commission and he’s worked hard for it. Yes, I agree, we all work hard. My question is, 550k-4% commission gives us 22K- half of that is 11K. I offer him to take 3% which is about 16K. He takes more and I get the house. And the sellers get just about the same amount… why is the agent so set on going with someone else and only getting 2% as opposed to going with me and getting 3?

It felt as if some emotions got in the way and it wasn’t a win/win/win situation. Just wanted to throw this out there and see what opinions if any I got back. I understand commission comes from the seller, this is just a principle think I guess for me… agent saying he’s doing everything he can to help, however, not budging on his negotiable commission because of an ego thing? If it’s business and getting the most of the deal, I get that too… just say that. I’m not sure. ( yes I know, it’s a “sellers market”)

Thank you all for reading. I apologize if there’s typos or anything.

I’m writing this as I’m going to bed after speaking with the girly about it and thinking it over for a few hours and still not making sense to me.