Is my real estate agent ripping me off?

I am a lender with offices in Sebastopol and Napa. I love St. Helena. If you are buying a home, there should be no fee charged to you in most cases. Usually, the listing agent will sign an exclusive right with the SELLER and that fee is negotiable but 5-6% seems to be pretty normal for the area. The listing agent then agrees to split that fee with the buyers agent and so that is how it typically works. I am happy to discuss if you want to call me directly at (707) 529-9951

Also, the listing fee charged to the seller is typically taken directly from the proceeds at the title & escrow company. I am not sure what FTB means.

Your question is confusing.. are you selling or buying? If your buying, you don't pay the agent.. the commissions on a sale are paid by the seller.. But most agents have you sign a Buyer/Broker agreement.. This agreement states that if after hiring your agent, you decide to buy somewhere else and not use your agent, then you would still be required to pay your agent a fee.. Understand that your agent goes into an agreement with you willing to accept zero dollars if they don't sell your home, or if you are the buyer, if you don't buy a home. This is regardless of the hours and dollars they spend trying to market your home or help you find a home. Now if you are selling a home, than if the agent is charging you 6%, understand that the total 6% does not go to your agent.. the fee is typically split between the listing agent and the selling agent. So, as a seller you are paying your agent 6%, but then your agent has agreed to give 3% to the agent who brings the buyer. If your home was $2M+ then I could see the agent lowering their fee to maybe 5%, aside from that.. 6% is normal. I'm a preferred Lender with California and Arizona being my primary markets. If you or someone you know is looking for financing options, feel free to contact me or pass along my information. 480-287-5714 WilliamAcres.com NMLS# 226347 / LendUS, NMLS 1938/ AZMB0121893