The Question Most People Ask Too Late
After a transaction closes, many people look back and ask:
“Could I have saved money on this?”
The honest answer is often yes.
But the problem isn’t that people don’t care about saving money.
It’s that they don’t realize how much even small percentage differences actually cost.
Let’s break it down.
Why Percentages Hide the True Cost
Real estate commissions are usually discussed as percentages.
That sounds small.
But percentages applied to large dollar amounts add up quickly.
Here’s what a 1% difference looks like in real dollars:
| Home Price | 1% Savings |
| $300,000 | $3,000 |
| $500,000 | $5,000 |
| $750,000 | $7,500 |
| $1,000,000 | $10,000 |
And that’s just one side of one transaction.
What About 0.5%? Does That Even Matter?
Yes – a lot.
A 0.5% difference often means:
- $1,500 on a $300,000 home
- $2,500 on a $500,000 home
- $5,000 on a $1,000,000 home
For most households, that’s:
- several mortgage payments,
- a new appliance,
- or months of savings.
Yet many people never question it because it sounds small.
Why Most Consumers Overpay Without Realizing It
Most buyers and sellers:
- assume commissions are fixed,
- don’t know what’s typical in their market,
- and don’t feel comfortable asking.
So they sign agreements without understanding alternatives.
That’s not irresponsible – it’s human.
The system simply doesn’t educate consumers by default.
Savings Multiply Over Time
Now consider this:
Many people don’t just buy or sell once.
They may:
- buy a first home,
- sell and move up,
- refinance,
- buy an investment property.
Saving even 0.5%-1% each time compounds into tens of thousands of dollars over a lifetime.
That’s why education matters early.
What Determines How Much You Can Save?
Savings depend on several factors, including:
- market conditions,
- transaction size,
- timing,
- and how clearly expectations are set.
Some situations offer more flexibility than others.
The key is not forcing a number – it’s understanding what’s realistic in your specific market and situation.
Why Guessing Is Expensive
When people negotiate without information, they tend to:
- either ask too little,
- or avoid asking altogether.
Both outcomes cost money.
Education gives you:
- context,
- confidence,
- and clarity.
That’s what changes outcomes – not aggressive tactics.
Why Flat-Fee Education Often Makes Sense
Commission-based systems scale with price.
Education does not.
Paying a flat fee to understand:
- what’s negotiable,
- what alternatives exist,
- and how to have professional conversations
can produce a very high return – even if no agreement changes at all.
Knowing you made an informed decision has value too.
How CommissionCutter.ai Helps You See the Numbers Clearly
CommissionCutter.ai is a consumer education and negotiation-training platform.
We help you:
- understand how commissions and fees work,
- see typical ranges in your market,
- and prepare for informed conversations.
We do not negotiate for you.
We do not represent you.
We give you the clarity to advocate for yourself – confidently and professionally.
Why Our Guarantee Is Simple
Because the math is real.
Our 2× ROI Education Guarantee reflects that:
- even small percentage savings can outweigh the cost of education,
- and consumers deserve accountability.
If our education does not help you identify potential savings of at least twice our fee, we refund the difference.
Final Thought: Small Percentages, Big Impact
Real estate is one of the largest financial decisions most people ever make.
Overpaying by even a small percentage is expensive.
Understanding your options before signing is not about being difficult – it’s about being informed.
