Often it is really the case that "great" properties are supposed to be sold at inflated prices. Sure, it might pay off, there's always a "fool" around every day. But if I first have to bring 20 interested parties through for that, then I have to live with it.
The agent is rarely to blame for that; sales prices are set by the seller. Since we are currently discussing a manageable market for used properties/plots, sellers also see no reason to give up their share. Of course, the agent is also happy when under these conditions it leads to a notarized contract.
... but then they should at least create realistic exposés. Honesty is the best policy. :)
Agents are definitely not among my "friends"; however – the exposés I have seen in the past weeks and months all contained the necessary information to make a purchase decision.
I think the discussion about the amount of commission is mostly emotional because primarily a sale and thus a sum "x" is in focus. All the appointments that come to nothing are not considered under this view; however, they cannot be argued away.
A former colleague is an agent in Düsseldorf, specializing in existing properties and condominiums. You could give me gold to do this job, but I wouldn’t want to have it. Every assignment she takes in is – in my subjective opinion – very hard-earned money. When I listen to her descriptions, the clientele for used properties is not rarely selfish to downright rude.
That is probably why many land agents have resorted to subtler ways of generating commissions. If there were public outcries about it, I could understand it. But since this commission flows unnoticed by potential builders – in the background – nobody can get upset about it either.
Rhenish greetings