Two words: bidding war. My realtor was worth every penny she got. And I don't know where you are located but I've always known the standard commission to be 6%

Two words: bidding war. My realtor was worth every penny she got. And I don't know where you are located but I've always known the standard commission to be 6% (3 to buyer and 3 to seller agents). But everything is negotiable, I got mine done at 5%. She knocked 1% of the seller agent fee to be my buyer agent on the next transaction when her fee wouldn't come out of my pocket. She got me a second great deal, could I have gotten the same? Maybe, but knowing that negotiation isn't my strong suit, probably not. But then again, most people buy houses so infrequently that one or two experiences either good or bad is going to color your whole outlook on the industry. I've been lucky enough that my few experiences look like net wins from my perspective.