What You’re Really Paying For & Why the Right Fee Protects Your Profit

One of the most common questions I hear from home sellers and buyers is also one of the most misunderstood:

“How much does it cost to work with a real estate agent? And is it really worth it?”

It’s a fair question. And it deserves a clear, thoughtful answer.

Real estate pricing is 100% negotiable and every agent, even in the same Keller Williams or Re/Max branch is an independent contractor with their own services and pricing.

So everyone is doing something different and as recent lawsuits clarified – there is no “standard” fee. Everything’s on the table.

So, even though money can be a touchy subject, let’s talk about it openly. I’ll tell you exactly what we charge here at HomeProAssociates.com in the Puget Sound, and what you can expect when it comes to our services.

First, a Quick Reality Check About Real Estate Fees

There is no single “standard” commission in real estate.

Pricing varies based on:

• the type of property,
• the complexity of the transaction,
• the services required,
• the market conditions,
• and the level of responsibility the agent is taking on.

Think of real estate representation less like purchasing a product and more like hiring a strategic professional. Because that’s exactly what it is.

My Pricing Philosophy

Let me start with this, because it guides everything else:

My pricing philosophy is built around results, not shortcuts.

I am not the cheapest option, and I don’t try to be.
I am here to help you earn the most money possible, reduce risk, and get to the closing table successfully.

You’re not hiring me to “get a deal.”
You’re hiring me to get a great result.

Seller Representation: How My Pricing Works

When I represent a seller, my standard listing commission is 3%.

That 3% includes full-service representation, including:

• strategic pricing analysis,
• professional photography,
• organic and paid video marketing,
• targeted online advertising,
• MLS and website exposure,
• negotiation and contract strategy,
• buyer screening,
• transaction management,
• title and contract review,
• ongoing market analysis and feedback.

This is high-touch, hands-on representation, not a limited-service model.

If you’re thinking about selling in the next year or so, see what your home might sell for in today’s market.

How Buyer Agent Compensation Fits In

Sellers also decide what to offer the buyer’s agent, if anything. In our market, that can be as little as 0% but it’s typically 2.5%–3%, depending on what is competitive for the property and price point.

This matters because:

• the best buyers almost always have representation, and
• undercutting the market can reduce buyer interest and showings.

Together, this creates three common scenarios:

🔹 If you find the buyer

(for example, a friend, family member, or coworker)

• Total cost: 3%
• I represent you as the seller
• No buyer agent fee is required

🔹 If I find the buyer and dual agency is appropriate

(with full disclosure and consent)

• Total cost: 5%
• 3% for seller representation
• 2% for buyer representation

That said, when possible, I prefer each side to have their own representation. This reduces conflicts and protects everyone involved. In those cases, I may refer the buyer to another trusted agent and remain your dedicated advocate.

🔹 If the buyer has their own agent

(This is the most common and often healthiest scenario)

• Total cost: ~6%
• 3% to represent you
• 2.5–3% to the buyer’s agent

This structure attracts the strongest buyer pool and typically leads to better outcomes.

Context Matters: How This Compares to Other Sales Industries

For perspective, in industries like:

• art brokerage,
• auction houses,
• high-end collectibles,

10% commissions are common and they sometimes go even higher than that.

In that context, full-service residential real estate representation is actually a strong value, especially considering the legal, financial, and emotional complexity involved.

Why Full-Service Representation Costs More, and Why It Often Pays for Itself

Higher-quality representation typically involves:

• upfront financial investment by the agent,
• deeper market analysis,
• stronger negotiation,
• better preparation,
• and more risk assumed if the deal doesn’t close.

If a transaction falls apart, I don’t get paid, and I still absorb the cost of:

• photography,
• video,
• advertising,
• staging coordination,
• signs,
• brochures and printing,
• postage and mailing,
• and significant time invested.

That risk is built into how full-service professionals operate.

I have a no-handcuffs guarantee, so if you aren’t absolutely THRILLED with how your home appears, you can fire me on the spot. I take all the risk in partnering with you and investing in the sale of your property.

Equity-Funded Preparation: A Major Advantage for Sellers

One of the biggest ways I help sellers is by using their equity strategically, instead of asking them to come out of pocket as they prepare the home for sale.

In today’s market, buyers are looking for value — not fixer-uppers with a long to-do list. At the same time, most sellers don’t want to over-renovate without seeing a profitable return, or slash their price.

The goal is to walk the fine line:

• make the home the obvious choice,
• without overspending on low-ROI improvements.

That usually means the home needs to be:

• clean,
• well-kept,
• move-in ready.

I often recommend:

• paint,
• carpet or LVP flooring,
• professional cleaning,
• light handyman work.

Sometimes more extensive repairs are recommended, but the choice is yours. If we’re going to put money into a property, we want to see more than a 1-to-1 return on investment. I like to see a 1-to-3 return on investment to really make extensive updates worth the time and effort.

If it helps, I can coordinate vendors who get paid at closing, so you’re not fronting cash unnecessarily.

What About Interior Home Staging?

If the home is vacant — which the market often prefers — staging can be one of the highest-ROI investments you make.

Staging:

• activates the emotional side of buyers’ brains,
• helps them visualize living there,
• prevents hyper-focus on minor flaws.

Typical costs:

• ~$4,000 upfront
• ~$500/month furniture rental, while listed

According to the National Association of Realtors, staged homes often sell for 3–6% more, making this one of the few improvements that consistently pays for itself.

Is My Fee Negotiable?

This is something people naturally wonder about, especially if they haven’t sold a home in years. In the old days life was cheap, sellers came down on their prices, and so did realtors. Now times are different.

When this comes up, I usually turn the conversation to a more important question:

What matters more to you — the lowest possible fee, or the highest possible profit?

Most sellers quickly realize those are not the same thing.

You are hiring me to sell your most important asset. This is not a casual transaction, and it’s not one where you want someone who cuts corners, avoids hard conversations, or isn’t fully invested.

Once you hire me, I negotiate hard on your behalf.
You’re not negotiating against me — you’re hiring me to fight for you.

That said, flexibility can exist in specific edge cases, depending on:

• price point,
• scope of work,
• timing,
• and overall complexity.

But full-service, full-fee representation is the standard because it produces the strongest results.

Buyer Representation: How My Fee Works

For buyers, I work under a 3% representation agreement.

In almost all NWMLS transactions, the seller pays the buyer’s agent fee. My goal is always that buyers do not pay me out of pocket.

If a seller does not offer full compensation, we explore options such as:

• requesting broker compensation when we make an offer to purchase the home,
• if necessary, structuring the price to account for the commission,
• or adjusting strategy, if needed.

Only as a last resort would a buyer be asked to contribute — and that decision is always made in advance, with full transparency, and at the buyer’s discretion.

Buyer consultations and agreements are now a standard part of the home buying process in Washington State, much like filling out intake forms at a doctor’s office. This establishes clarity, professionalism, and equal footing from the start.

Who Full-Service Representation Is (and Isn’t) For

Full-service representation is often the right fit if:

• you want to maximize profit,
• your property has complexity (condo, HOA, probate, repairs),
• you’re relocating or time-constrained,
• a previous attempt to sell didn’t work,
• or you want strong advocacy and calm leadership.

It may not be the best fit if:

• you want a fast, as-is sale to investors,
• or your priority is speed over price.

In those cases, we can design a different strategy, including offering a cash purchase price from our investment wing as well as competitive MLS exposure, that still protects you better than a direct investor sale.

Final Thought: You’re Hiring an Advocate, Not a Line Item

When you hire me, you’re not just paying for:

• paperwork,
• showings,
• or a listing on the MLS.

You’re paying for:

• strategy,
• judgment,
• negotiation,
• risk management,
• and someone who is fully invested in your success.

The goal isn’t to save a little on commission.

The goal is to walk away with the most money possible, with the least stress, and the highest likelihood of a successful closing.

If you’d like to see what a sale or purchase might look like for you, including net proceeds or buyer costs, I’m always happy to walk through that with you.

No pressure. Just clarity.

For more information about working with Emily Cressey, Seattle Realtor, please fill out the form below.