What is a better commission split?

Can a better price be obtained when buying a house when you use the real estate agent that represents both the buyer and seller? It seems that the commission would be less with just one agent involved, rather than two having to split the commission.

• Answer:

  Not usually. The commission (lets say 5% of selling price) is established at the time the house is listed (to be paid by the seller at closing). Then it is split between listing agent (2.5%) and the buyers agent (2.5%) when sold. If the listing agent is also the selling agent, they just get the entire commission, rather than splitting it. Remember, the listing agent is contractually obligated to represent the Sellers best interest, not necessarily yours (the buyer). Not to say that there are never exceptions, but not common in my local market anyway.