Why It's A Good Thing If Your Agent Doesn't Lower His Or Her Commission Rate
Homeowners who are looking to sell want to walk away from the transaction with as much money in their pockets as possible, which can often compel sellers to attempt to negotiate their agent's commission rate. When you're in the process of hiring an agent, you'll always ask about what commission he or she takes — and you might pitch the idea of agreeing to a lesser rate. You probably want to hear the agent agree to your idea, but many agents will not. Although you might think about finding a different agent if the one you plan to hire will not lower his or her commission rate, here are some reasons that this is a good thing — which should compel you to move forward with the agent.
It Demonstrates Negotiating Skill
You want to hire a real estate agent who is skilled at negotiating, as this attribute can benefit you financially in the long run. If an agent is quick to lower his or her commission rate, it unfortunately demonstrates that negotiating might not be the agent's strongest quality. You may thus wonder if the agent is lowers his or her rate for you, how he or she will respond when negotiating with an experienced and aggressive buyer agent. An agent who indicates that he or she won't lower this rate for you shows himself or herself to be a good negotiator and will sell your home as close to asking price as possible.
It Shows His/Her Worth
If an agent quickly agrees to a lesser negotiating rate, it might suggest that the agent has doubts about his or her value. Real estate agents work hard for their money — to earn commission from the sale of a house, an agent may have to put in dozen of hours of work. Any agent who believes in his or her aptitude knows that he or she works hard for this commission and won't want to accept less. When your agent declines taking a lesser rate, he or she is essentially saying, "I feel that I'm worth the money I earn, and I hope you'll give me the chance to show you."
He/She Stays Committed
While you'd like your agent to work as hard as possible for you regardless of how much commission he or she is earning, you need to remember that your agent is a human being. If an agent were to accept a lower commission with one client, it may be tempting to put more hours into working for a different client who will be paying the agent a higher commission. When your agent doesn't lower his or her commission for you, it's a sign that he or she is committed to working hard for your benefit.