How are Realtors paid?

Today’s Realtors operate in a number of different ways, although most ‘‘traditional’’ agents (from companies like Coldwell Banker, Century 21, RE/MAX and ERA) work on a certain percentage (usually 6 percent or 7 percent) of the home’s sales price, paid by the seller at closing. Buyer’s agents work in the same manner (the buy-side and sell-side agents split the commission 50/50) and operate as fiduciaries or ‘‘trusted advisers’’ in the transaction.
The good news for you, the buyer, is that most Realtors turn to the seller for payment at the closing table. The transaction coordinator (see Question 56) usually does too, unless it’s the buyer who enlisted her services and therefore is the person responsible for payment