The vast majority of NYC homes are represented by a listing agent, while FSBO—or For Sale By Owner—listings are relatively rare in NYC. A broker’s 5-6% commission is paid by the seller and then typically split with the buyer’s agent if there is one.
Buyers do not have to pick one real estate broker with whom to work exclusively, nor must they work with one at all. Some choose to fly solo and deal directly with the seller's broker because they believe it gives them an edge in a competitive bidding situation. They theorize that because the seller's broker won't have to split a 5% or 6% commission with a buyer’s broker, the seller's broker may subtly or not so subtly encourage the seller to accept their offer. In a less competitive market, some buyers choose to work directly with the seller's broker in order to ask the seller's agent to kick in a percentage point of the commission toward the purchase price.
Whether most buyers successfully wrangle that extra percentage point is unclear. Moreover, as this New York Times article explains, working directly with the seller's agent--whose loyalties are divided between buyer and seller--is a bad idea in pretty much every other way. Among other things, you won’t have a real advocate during contract negotiations, and you may not hear about problems with the apartment or the building or resale potential.
To reap significant savings while retaining the most vital services of an unbiased buyer’s agent. . . consider working with a brokerage that will rebate some of its commission if you do some of the legwork on your own. Prevu will handle pretty much everything, including, scheduling viewings, determining comps, preparing the offer, negotiating with the seller, and assembling the board package you’ll need to prove your worth (literally and figuratively) to a co-op or condo board. As a participant in Prevu’s “Smart Buyer” program, you’ll pocket a rebate of two-thirds of the commission paid to the buyer’s broker at closing. On a $1 million condo with a 6% commission (3% paid to the seller’s broker and 3% to the buyer’s broker), the rebate equals 2% of the purchase price…a not-too-shabby $20,000.
Consider finding a (good) buyer's broker if:
- There are special circumstances about your qualifications, circumstances or desired apartment that will make your search particularly challenging. And as in any business transaction, creative deal structuring can save the day. For example, while many co-ops will not approve a pied a terre purchase by parents who intend for their adult child to live there, some will approve a co-purchase situation in which all parties (parent and child) are on the proprietary lease and stock certificate. Self-employed and international buyers can also face hurdles that require strategic assistance.
- You're busy. You don’t have the time or inclination to manage your search, including researching available properties and comparables or setting up appointments with agents.
- You are a first-time buyer. Buying in New York City is complicated and expensive and unlike almost anywhere else in the world. A knowledgeable advocate can be invaluable.
- You are new to New York City. See above and multiply by a hundred.
- You are buying a new condo: Unlike the boilerplate contracts typically used for resales, the sponsor/developer drafts their own purchase agreement. That often leaves more issues to be protected against and negotiated that are largely unfamiliar to the typical buyer--necessitating a good broker and a good real estate lawyer. Your broker should be able to provide you with some industry insight into the building before you submit an offer.
- You're tired of being outbid, or you're not finding enough available in your price range or ideal neighborhoods Applying data science to the ultra-competitive world of NYC real estate, at least one brokerage uses technology to intelligently mine publicly available records and make predictive guesses about who may be thinking about selling their place. The Agency (a Brick Underground partner) curates these "off-market" listings for buyers, meaning you can meet and deal with apartment owners before their homes hit the market.
- You are unfamiliar with the neighborhood(s) in which you are looking.
- You are buying in a difficult co-op: A good buyer's agent will be able to determine the likelihood that you will pass the board before you ever make an offer, which will save everyone substantial time, money and heartache. They will also be able to help you craft an application package that caters to the whims of the board so that your chances of being approved are higher.
- You are buying for investment: A good broker with a solid understanding of investment properties should be able to help you develop your pro forma to model anticipated cash flows, cap rates, internal rates of return, and expected net profits. They will also be able to put you in touch with lenders and property managers that specialize in investment property and help you determine the market value of rents. They may also be able to help with leasing after you buy. (For more detailed info, see "Want to buy an investment apartment to rent out? Here's what you need to know")
Important note about broker fees: Many buyers visit open houses on their own either while working with a broker (writing the broker’s name on the sign in sheet) or while getting their feet wet before choosing a broker. If you sign in to an open house without a broker, and want to make an offer on the apartment, you usually have the right to bring in your own broker at any time up until an offer is submitted, no matter what the seller’s broker (who now has to split the commission) tells you. There are two important exceptions: If the seller’s broker is not a member of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), which is more common in boroughs outside of Manhattan, they are not obligated to split their fee with another agent (a.k.a. "co-broke"). The same is true in some new developments where the developer's agents are in-house or not REBNY members. In these two circumstances, although you have a legal right to choose an agent to represent you, you may have to pay them yourself.