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Small-Scale Question Sunday for March 17, 2024

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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Why do people prefer real estate agents in their network? Is this rational? Why don't real estate agents compete on price instead?

They've banded together and declared standard commissions, so they can't compete on price.

Given how commissions are structured they are incentivized to close deals fast instead of holding out for the best price.

Basically people want real estate agents in their network because they believe they are less likely to screw them.

They've banded together and declared standard commissions

Source? This article says that any explicit attempt to "declare standard commissions" would fall afoul of antitrust laws.