There are many options today for paring down real estate commissions or handling the sale themselves for seller.  In the recent years, commissions have fallen to an average 5.1% nationwide.  Commissions will be under more pressure, as the market cools.

Here are some easy tips on how you can cut down the commission rate:

Negotiate with your real estate agent. In a typical home sale, agents for buyers and sellers each take a commission of roughly 2.5% to 3%, for a total cost of 5% to 6%, paid out of the seller's proceeds. However, as agents compete with discount brokers and flat-fee services, some are becoming more amenable to reducing their cut to 2% or less.

In order to get a good commission, first, ask several agents in your area to prepare a free market report, estimating the sales price of your home. You may then interview each agent.

There are firms that are offering non-cash rebates, such as frequent-flyer miles.  If you use a real estate agent sponsored by LendingTree and its sister company RealEstate.com, for example, you can receive rebates for airline miles or gift cards from Costco or Home Depot.

Moreover, if you're similarly comfortable handling part of the process, there's no shortage of sites and services willing to help you.  Help-U-Sell Real Estate, with more than 1,000 offices nationwide, is one of the fastest growing franchises that provide a menu of fee-for-service options, including MLS listings, access to licensed real estate brokers and marketing help.

There are also other well-known services like Redfin, currently available in Seattle and San Francisco, and MLS4Owners.com, a Washington state brokerage that lists homes in the MLS for a flat fee of $595.

By M. Sese
http://realestatepress.org