http://videotap.wistia.com/medias/5vqdsef8xh?embedType=async&videoFoam=true&videoWidth=640
Like the video says – real estate agents aren’t paid by the hour!They’re paid a percentage of the purchase price in a successful real estate transaction.
When one agent represents the sellers and another represents the buyers the commission is typically split between them.
In the US, real estate commissions are commonly 6% of the transaction usually 3%/3% when split.
No government or industry body sets commission rates. Legally, commission rates ARE negotiable. However, remember that agents only earn their commission on successful sales.
Consider the work you want them to do for you to evaluate the value you should put on the commission they earn.