By Amy Hoak, MarketWatch
CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Don't be afraid to ask your real estate agent for a lower commission -- chances are, your wish will be granted without affecting the quality of service, according to a new survey by Consumer Reports.
Forty-six percent of the sellers surveyed by Consumer Reports for its September issue said they attempted to negotiate a lower commission rate, and 71% succeeded in getting one.
Plus, those who paid commission rates of 3% or lower were as satisfied with the performance of their broker as those who paid 6% or more, according to the survey results.
Lots more real estate
Coverage of home buying and selling, housing prices, mortgage information and home improvement.
• Home sleepover 'test drives'
• Surprise cuts in equity lines
• Fed reins in mortgage lenders
• When you have to sell now
Because people are so successful, said Amanda Walker, senior project editor for Consumer Reports, "then clearly it should be something that you should try to do." That's especially true in today's challenging markets when sellers may need to cut their price, she added.
The results were based on a survey of 3,753 readers who sold or tried to sell a home, 4,029 readers who bought one and 7,368 readers who did both during the past few years.
