04-16-2009, 04:25 PM
The listing agent will make at least 3% on the deal and possibly 6% if they're the sole agent. But suppose your sister the Real Estate Agent saw a cute house around the corner for sale and you became interested. She'll use the "key" at the property to show you around and if you wanted to bid on the house, she'd arrange for all of that. If the seller (who works with the listing agent) accepts your bid and everything passes muster, then the listing agent will "split" the commission with your sister and they each would earn 3% on the deal.