It's only disproportionate for buyer's agents in a buyer's market or seller's agents in a seller's market when the cost of a crap shack is $800k+ - which unfort

It's only disproportionate for buyer's agents in a buyer's market or seller's agents in a seller's market when the cost of a crap shack is $800k+ - which unfortunately is a growing part of the country. If you're unaware - the brokerages can take up to 40% of the agent's commission. That's where the real rip off is. There's lots of places where the median home is still <$250k. It's a lot of work to sell that house (in a buyer's market). In a seller's market - it's a lot of showings and offers before something gets accepted. 70% of 3% of $250k = $5250 Typically, R/E agents are 1099 - which means they're paying ~10% more income tax in the employer's side of Medicare and Social Security. That's $4446 after payroll tax but BEFORE income tax. You're lucky if you're selling >1 house a month. Just because real estate agents aren't writing code and aren't making doo-dads, doesn't mean they're doing nothing, or that their time is worthless.