What is the going % rate for a real estate agent ...

I think 2-3% is pretty standard.

5-6% depending on the price of the house. If there is a buyer agent, they will split the fee.

There are a lot of Real Estate agents. I have had luck in the past in telling them they could list my house for a flat fee. Really, it's your house. You don't have to do anything with it. You will find an agent out there willing to take what you offer. Don't be afraid to bargain with them or to send them on their way if they won't.

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I sold my last house by owner. I gave the buyer agent 2%.

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This is not criticism of how you handled that because that sounds like a pretty good deal for you. But, this makes me immediately think of the conflict of interest that a buyer agent has in such a situation. What if you had refused to give the buyer's agent anything? Would he/she have then not let the buyer know anything about your house? I assume that the buyer's agent approached you and bargained with you before showing the house to their client.

If your agent is with one of the bigger companies…. Remax, Gary Greene, etc… 3% most likely. If you ask and negotiate 2.5% is likely. If the agent is selling your house and helping you buy a house it will probably be 2.5% on each. You just have to ask and negotiate.

You can probably get it down to 2% with someone like Redfin. If you have any issues the discount agencies aren’t very good at supporting. If you know what you are doing nothing wrong with Redfin or anyone else.

4% total is plenty these days. Realtors are feeling the squeeze with the lack of market activity and they will gladly take 2%. They don’t do shite anyway.