Not looking to squeeze every last penny out of a transaction, simply wanting to make sure we're not just giving money away oblivious to normal practices.

We have a realtor that we like, that knows the area, but is not overly special. Thus far she's shown us about 4 homes in a month and did some paperwork on a backup offer we submitted but were unsuccessful on.

We originally talked fees and I got the "seller pays fees so you don't have to worry about it!" before I realized that rebates were a thing in many cases. Looking at homes in the $1.2M->$2.5M range -- is it reasonable to broach the subject now about wanting to talk rebates if wind up in this price point? Sub $1M I'm fine with no rebate, but was wondering if there's a somewhat "universally accepted" rebate at your $1.5/2/2.5 price points.

Quote:

---

is it reasonable to broach the subject now

---

Well I'm assuming you already signed a representation agreement. So no, it's not reasonable to broach the subject now especially since they've already done work.

You could always bring up renegotiating the agreement. Especially since the market is slow.

Martin Q. Blank said:

---

Quote:

---

is it reasonable to broach the subject now

---

Well I'm assuming you already signed a representation agreement. So no, it's not reasonable to broach the subject now especially since they've already done work.

You could always bring up renegotiating the agreement. Especially since the market is slow.

---

No representation agreement. She's aware this is unconvential (not allowed?) but she is willing to risk it.

With that being said, would approaching from that angle "we'd like a rebate if over $xxx, and in return will sign an agreement so you'll be guaranteed your percentage" be appropriate? This is a referral from a friend we know socially so don't want to just completely grind her down.

LacyMilaniRealtor said:

---

Hi! Dfw realtor here. I always do rebates or discounts for my client when they are doing a sell and a buy. And yes, most of the time a seller is paying all of the realtor commissions for the buyers agent. On a higher priced home though, we are more negotiable so rebates for our clients to use toward closing costs. That's the only legal way to do a rebate back to our buyers. It's always worth a conversation though. If you have signed a rep agreement, it might be trickier to make changes to it. But again, you can always terminate it, or renegotiate it.

---

Thanks for the information -- at the mentioned price points ($1.5M/$2M/$2.5M) what would you consider a reasonable rebate request?

As opposed to asking ChatGPT? Seems like the Real Estate Forum is a good place to ask -- didn't really want to ask my current realtor her thoughts on taking a percentage point haircut.

What's the difference between buying a 1 mil and 2.5 mil house these days?

Not anything that requires more work from a realtor. There's a guy here that does 1.5% rebates.

dfwag58 said:

---

Martin Q. Blank said:

---

Quote:

---

is it reasonable to broach the subject now

---

Well I'm assuming you already signed a representation agreement. So no, it's not reasonable to broach the subject now especially since they've already done work.

You could always bring up renegotiating the agreement. Especially since the market is slow.

---

No representation agreement. She's aware this is unconvential (not allowed?) but she is willing to risk it.

With that being said, would approaching from that angle "we'd like a rebate if over $xxx, and in return will sign an agreement so you'll be guaranteed your percentage" be appropriate? This is a referral from a friend we know socially so don't want to just completely grind her down.

---

"Hey, I know you mentioned the seller pays both realtor commissions, but Red Pear Jack gives a 1.5% rebate at closing. I'm not thinking of switching realtors since you've already done a lot of the leg work, but wanted to see what you can do."

TxAG#2011 said:

---

What's the difference between buying a 1 mil and 2.5 mil house these days?

About $30k in a buyer rebate. That's a lot of $$$ back in your pocket.

Not anything that requires more work from a realtor. There's a guy here that does 1.5% rebates.

---

It's never too late to ask. You owe the realtor nothing.

She should have a Buyer's Rep signed with you. It's always okay to talk about anything. If you have the right agent, it is a PARTNERSHIP and partners should talk through questions (rebates included).

I sponsor the Metro Board and have been a TexAgs sponsor for well over a decade. I'm the broker/owner of Robinson Team Real Estate. I've worked with many, many Aggies in that time.

If there's anything I can do to help (even if just general questions about D/FW market), you can always reach out at Cody@MyRobinsonTeam.com.