I’m a realtor and can make my own offers and represent myself in certain transactions to save on commission, which I would typically do for residential transactions (fix and flips or 4units and under).

Too many people take a get rich quick approach to this side of the industry, and don't do a good job of representing the rest of us.Turnkey companies who know their area, and are familiar with REI can actually be a great return at a completely passive level.

@Jeremy Segermeister  Bottom line, yes - you can represent friends/family and give back as much of the commission in a credit at closing as you want. 

Discount agents represent the seller, not the buyer.In fact the sales commission for both buyer and seller sides is negotiated at the time that the listing agent takes the listing. 

The fee represents a duplicate billing practice costing Colorado home owners $10-12 million a year and hundreds of millions across the USA. 

Kevin BeckOwner Representative 

I don't really understand how a broker is allowed to represent both sides of a transaction.

You say "I am simply providing my recommendations from both sides of the insurance claims process" but you are not licensed as a public adjuster so you cannot represent the other "side" of the insurance claims process. 

Dorothy,I'm a public adjuster in Florida; I represent the property owner in a claim - but only in Florida. 

I have strategic partnerships with an excellent landlord representative (leasing agent), capital markets specialist, as well as a retail fee-based developer to assist in completing the transaction.