Crete is really on the southern edge of Chicago.  

It cuts both ways so is a requirement for both the landlord and the tenant.

But all they ever say is find the deal and we'll cut you X%...no paperwork, no written agreement, just verbal with the expectation of payment which leads me to believe that everyone is paying under the table.

On top of that if they do somehow get lucky enough to cross the closing line with this buyer traditional logic would dictate that it would take at least double or triple the amount of time it could take that agent to close with a client who is looking at homes in their price range which would cut their hourly pay in half or into thirds.

I would also suggest if possible, you find ways to cut your expenses. 

Note the location of the brick fireplace barely seen on the edge, because the photo below is the other view of the 1st floor.

For example, you might find that the $900,000 the seller needs is just to cover his mortgage so he can cut the properties loose and move to retirement.

But, for every one of you that is smart enough to know to ask that, there are 10 buyers who find things on Zillow and call the listing agent directly who would never know to ask to cut the commission.

I own a beautiful victorian duplex that is on the edge of the ghetto, across the street from the site of the new police station... that was supposed to be completed in April of 2017... so while the property makes money, the appreciation is not there yet, and I have to wait for my little messed up city to come through with the plans it has already laid in place.The second type of lower income are the cash flow areas.

Cut grass, wash windows, gardening, what ever your community needs.