It's one of the most common questions people have when buying or selling a home, and most people are too uncomfortable to actually ask it out loud. So let's talk about it honestly.
The short answer is: technically, yes. Commission is always negotiable. But before you go into that conversation, you need to understand what you're actually negotiating — and what you might be giving up when you do.
Do I even Need a Real Estate Agent?
What Most People Don't See Behind the Commission Cheque
I've been a licensed real estate agent since 2014. I started in Vancouver and have spent the last several years specializing in rural properties, oceanfront homes, and detached houses in Campbell River and Quadra Island. In that time, I've had the commission conversation more times than I can count, and I always approach it the same way: with honesty.
Here's what the public rarely sees.
When a home sells and a commission is paid, let's say it's $40,000 on a transaction. That sounds like a lot of money. But that commission is split between two agents — the listing agent and the buyer's agent. So now we're at $20,000 each. From that, my brokerage takes their cut, which can range from a flat deal fee to as much as 40% depending on the agent's agreement. Then there are the expenses I've already paid out of pocket for that listing: professional photography, marketing materials, advertising, open house costs, and in my case, ferry expenses traveling to and from Quadra Island. Easily $1,500 to $2,000 or more per listing, sometimes significantly higher.
On top of that, every two years I pay roughly $2,000 just to renew my license. There's mandatory continuing education. Real estate board fees. Website subscriptions. Advertising platforms. As a self-employed business owner, none of these costs disappear between transactions — and I don't get paid for showings, phone calls, open houses, research, or any of the dozens of hours that go into a listing before it ever sells. I only get paid when the keys change hands.
When you look at it that way, the commission cheque starts to look a lot different.
My Honest Opinion on Reducing Commission
I don't like reducing my commission. I'm not going to dress that up. I feel that my rates are fair — and honestly, sometimes I feel they're too low given everything that goes into a transaction.
Every deal is different. Some listings move quickly with minimal complications. Others require multiple rounds of photography, constant showings, extensive negotiations, and months of effort. The "easy" ones help balance out the difficult ones, but that's only true if I'm being compensated fairly across the board.
I have given discounts in the past. In almost every single case, I regretted it.
The "Easy Deal" That Wasn't
A few years ago, I got a call from someone who wanted me to write an offer on a property. They framed it as simple — just fill out the paperwork, reduced commission, quick day's work. I had a slow day ahead of me and agreed.
What followed was three days of stress. We ended up in a multiple offer situation. I hadn't seen the property. I didn't know what I was truly helping this person buy. That matters more than people realize, because I bring a lot to a property viewing — I spent years in the construction industry before real estate, I've attended countless inspections, and I can anticipate problems that most people would walk right past. When I haven't seen a home, I can't bring my full value to the table. I can't truly represent my client the way I'm supposed to.
I have a fiduciary duty to every client. That means I'm legally and ethically obligated to act in their best interest. When I'm brought in at the last minute at a reduced rate, that duty becomes harder to fulfill — and I don't take that lightly.
I did not feel good about that transaction. Not because of the money, but because I couldn't do my best work.
The Listing That Cost Me Everything
The other story I share when this topic comes up is harder to tell.
I took on a listing that turned out to be very difficult to sell. I did multiple open houses. I paid for professional photography twice — the first set wasn't capturing the property the way it needed to be captured. I made numerous trips, covered my own expenses, spent countless hours showing the property to potential buyers. After all of that, the seller decided not to renew with me and listed with another agent.
That agent sold the property. To a buyer I had already shown it to.
I received nothing. I actually came out at a loss.
That's the risk agents carry that nobody talks about. When you ask an agent to cut their commission, you're asking them to take on the same risk for less reward. And the risk is very real.
What You're Actually Getting When You Hire Me
When I list your home, here's what I bring to the table:
Listing on Realtor.ca, REW.ca, local newspaper, my personal website, and social media
YouTube marketing and targeted online advertising
Agent open houses to get your property in front of other professionals first
Public open houses
Active networking within the local agent community to highlight your listing
Accurate, strategic pricing — which I believe is the single most important factor in a successful sale
That last point deserves more attention. If your home isn't getting showings in the first two weekends after listing, the price is too high. If there's no offer within a month, same answer. Pricing accurately in today's market — with a lot of inventory and fewer active buyers — is genuinely difficult, and getting it right from the start is what separates a smooth sale from a long, painful one.
Beyond the marketing, I show my own listings to potential buyer's agents before they bring their clients through. I help gather information, get quotes, and make sure buyers have what they need to feel confident about a purchase. My goal in every transaction is a win-win: the seller walks away satisfied with their result in the shortest possible time, and the buyer understands what they bought and knows they got good value.
Why the Local Market Is Different
Campbell River and Quadra Island are not Vancouver. This is a small market with fewer transactions, less competition, and unique logistical realities — including ferry travel, rural property considerations, and a tighter community of agents and buyers. How to find the right real estate agent for you.
Fewer transactions means fewer chances to make up for a deal that goes sideways. The risks are the same as in any market, but the safety net is smaller. I'm not cutting corners on due diligence or documentation because there's less margin for error, not more.
I follow the rules. I don't take shortcuts. And I don't offer discounts, because I know what I bring to the table and I know what it costs me to bring it.
What You're Really Asking When You Ask for a Discount
When a seller asks me to reduce my commission, what they're often really saying is: "Convince me you're worth it."
And I'm happy to have that conversation. I'll come to your home in person. I'll show up to sign documents at 11pm if that's what the situation calls for. I will be there — not my assistant, not a partner, not someone from my office covering for me. Me. Every time.
I ask myself the same questions with every transaction: Would I sell this house to my parents? Would I buy this property for my siblings or my son? That's my moral compass. That's how I treat every client — like family.
So can you negotiate real estate commission? Yes. But I'd encourage you to first ask a better question: Am I working with someone who has earned it? What Should You Expect from Your Real Estate Agent.
If you're buying or selling in Campbell River or Quadra Island and want to talk about what that process actually looks like, I'd love to connect.
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