To buy a home, buyers pay little or no commission to an agent.
In most home sales, two real estate agents are involved: one representing the seller and one representing the buyer.
Sellers are represented by listing brokers, who charge a fee to represent them and market the property. Marketing expenses may include radio spots, print ads, television ads, and internet ads. The property will also be listed in the local multiple listing service (MLS), where other agents in the area (and across the country) can search for and find the home for sale.
The listing broker compensates agents who represent buyers (also known as buyer’s agents) for bringing home buyers to the table. The listing broker splits the listing fee with the buyer’s agent when the home is sold. As a result, buyers do not pay their agents!