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Law prevents realtors from fixing a fee. The homes listed by real estate companies at a lower fee are shunned by the large real estate companies. They deny it. Unless the buyer sees a sign driving past the home and tells the realtor about it your home listed as a FSBO or with a cut rate fee realtor will never be mentioned. The buyer must realize the extra fees involved using a big time real estate company? They also sock sellers for things a smaller operation would never charge them for at all. They always considered it part of earning the fee. Now they get you for many things that keep them in these large corporate buildings and plush surroundings. They also have a political action fund. They will fight these cut rate fee places off pretty quick.

There are many pitfalls in dealing with a buyer or seller without someone guiding them through the process. There are many sellers that will not place the home with a realtor because they do not want to fill out a disclosure info sheet. We even have some really wonderful offspring and relatives that sell property out from under an aging owner or infirmed owner. Be careful out there. Sometimes a realtor or real estate lawyer is well worth the money. You can easly find a realtor that represents buyers only. That is often a good deal.

There are many pitfalls in dealing with a buyer or seller without someone guiding them through the process.

The only thing a realtor adds to the process is another person to sue if something does happen. Realtors do make some buyers more confortable with the buying process, but in reality offer little to the process except access to listed homes. Most states require disclosure forms, so someone who doesn't provide one is in more legal jeopardy by not providing one. Your real protection comes from using good title companies, inspections, and appraisers.

The homes listed by real estate companies at a lower fee are shunned by the large real estate companies.

Works the other way too. I tried buying a home using a 1% commission realtor (he was supposed to get his 3% cut and rebate 2% to me.) The listing agents barely gave him the time of day.