Earlier this year, we put our house on the market through an agent. It didn't sell and we decided to take it off the market. It has been off the market for several months. We've now received interest from someone wanting to purchase our home. They are using a realtor. The realtor is an acquaintance and knew we had been wanting to sell, so he contacted me about letting him show our house to his client.

Since we are not using a realtor to list our home, would we be responsible for paying any commission, or would we get to collect the full sales amount? Would we have to prepare the contracts ourselves?

You ought to pay the buyer's agent 1/2 the total commission. Nothing is written in stone, but generally local custom allows for buyers to have representation, often paid for by the seller.

Since you may have not advertised a commission it would stand to reason the amount is negotiable.

Of course you might insist on not paying the agent and the buyers will have to decide to pay him on their own or proceed unrepresented.

I would handle this upfront and sooner rather than later and also do it in writing. It could/will be essential to a succesful transaction.


Way to go on selling you house.

WOuld you rather not sell your home than pay the agent who brought the buyer to you a commission?