re: Selling my house. Why do I have to pay the buyer's agent?

Ok. Here’s where you don’t understand the business. The agent has a broker. The broker provides the agents office/desk and provides support. So the broker gets a cut and it isn’t a small cut. Additionally there are marketing costs associated

A good agent will hire a stager, pay for professional photos and pay for an inspection so items can be addressed before listing the house.

They don’t just get to pocket all of that money. There can be substantial costs involved.

Now. Should $60k be split because my house sells for $1M? I don’t think so but that’s a matter for a different discussion.