Agency cooperation & splits
How agencies cooperate on one listing: commission splits, exclusives, MLS
Cooperation models
50/50 split
Classic: listing and buyer's agents split the commission 50/50. At 3% commission each gets 1.5% of the deal price. Downside — buyer's agent isn't motivated for a lower price.
Exclusive + multi-listing
Seller gives one agency exclusivity; it shares the listing via MLS/internal base with others. The exclusive agent takes his share; the buyer's agent gets the agreed % (usually 40–60% of commission).
Joint showing
Both agents attend the showing: protects both parties' interests. Record in writing who brought the buyer — 'first showing' determines commission share rights.
Client protection
30–90-day term: if the client brought by agent A buys within that time — agent A gets the share even if the deal closed via agent B. Put it in the split agreement.
Direct agency talks
Executing and ordering agencies agree on commission, document responsibility, who handles settlement and lien release. Avoids duplication and conflicts.
Typical conflicts
'My client / not mine' — record first contact in writing. Same buyer shown twice by two agents. 'Bypassing the agent' after a showing — prevented by dated showing registration.
Put the split agreement in writing BEFORE the showing: who brought the client, client-protection period, percentage, settlement order. A verbal deal after a showing is the main source of conflicts.