In both Oregon and Washington State, real estate commissions are included or built into the listing price of a property. When the seller(s) hires a listing agent to sell their house they determine a mutually agreed upon total commission rate to pay both the listing agent and also the agent who brings them a buyer (the buyer’s agent). Both agent commissions are paid out of the seller’s proceeds when the sale closes.

The commissions that are paid out to both agents are negotiated and set with the respective seller(s) before a listing contract agreement is entered into RMLS. There are no set minimum or maximum industry rates, however you may notice area trends or common rates such as 2.5% to 3% each side (or 5%-6% total paid from seller’s proceeds). Because this commission agreement is already in place with the respective seller, buyers can look at hiring a buyer’s agent for professional real estate representation for free.

In rare instances a seller may not have agreed to offer a minimum Buyer’s Agent Commission of 2.5%. For Sale By Owners and Short Sales can be two such examples. If you’re buying and find yourself interested in the above, then we can talk about the particulars of those opportunities.

There are no upfront costs involved with hiring a buyer’s agent. Our consultation services, negotiating, transportation, time, and critical research is all included in our fee and we get paid only when and after the successful purchase or sale of the property closes.