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Rainmaker
1,543,613
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Having served both and having been buyer heavy the first half of my career, I can share that very often, contrary to my respected colleagues' opinion, the Selling Agent (Buyers Agent) spends more than a Listing Agent. Now, true, it depends on the circumstances, as some listings cost more to market than some buyers cost to help buy, but some buyers cost more than some properties to list & close.

I recently sold a South Park (Balboa Park) home in 5 days that I never got to spend any money on at all beyond my MLS fees and a property website, maybe some fuel consumption driving to that house and the cost of time.

However, I have spent months, even years with some buyers, that I do not dare run a P&L on on for fear of losing my joy for those clients.  There are many hard costs to showing property in time, vehicle maintenance, fuel, time setting up the tour of homes-which is a hard cost for me since my per/hour staff do that, etc.

Therefore, after 17 (continuous education, trial & error and experienced) years of serving both listings & buyers, I see that the answer is reliant on an apples to apples comparison.  And, since no two deals/clients are quite alike,  I suggest that this was a fun question to debate in The Rain, but alas, there is no definitive answer.  I rest my case 

Feb 27, 2016 02:01 AM
Ambassador
5,048,758
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Listing agents spend more money, but in general buyer agents spend more time

Feb 27, 2016 01:32 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,898
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I'm going with the chorous of "It Depends."  It depends on the client.  Some listings (and owners) need/want expensive brochures and advertising in magazines, professional photos, drones, etc.  Other listings just need the free stuff and maybe $20 in printing at Kinkos.

Some buyers buy their first trip out, others take months (or more).  The costs there are vehicle related primarily, but also incidentals, dry cleaning, etc.

Feb 27, 2016 03:02 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Paul,

It depends on how smart the agent is.  I would vote for the listing agent, I do know without a doubt (from our circle) that listing agents make more.  They may spend more but the bottom line is SO much better.  A

Feb 27, 2016 02:01 AM
Ambassador
3,383,334
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Depends on marketing conditions.  There have been seller's markets where I felt I would need to put a gas pump in my front yard to keep the car full of gas for showings.

Feb 27, 2016 09:32 AM
Rainmaker
617,935
David Gibson CNE, 719-304-4684 ~ Colorado Springs Relocation
Colorado Real Estate Advisers LLC - Colorado Springs, CO
Relocation, Luxury & Lifestyle residential

Paul, my most profitable and least time consuming clients are:

# 1 High end buyers.

# 2 Above median price sellers.

# 3 High end sellers.

# 4 Median price sellers and buyers are a tie.

# 5 Below median sellers.

 

# 6 Below median buyers.

Feb 27, 2016 06:06 AM
Rainer
23,743
Eric Valente
Calabasas, CA
Eric

A listing agent usually pay for pictures, video, marketing, all  printing, open house treats and signs. A buyer agents has gas expenses and some printing. 

Feb 27, 2016 04:50 AM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Love both roles and never took time to analyze the time vs money.  Some listings sell quickly and some buyers buy quickly.  Other times the reverse is true for both

Feb 27, 2016 02:44 AM
Rainmaker
679,404
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

It all depends on the situation.  If the seller's house is staged and ready to go and priced right it will sell quick.  So there is not that much time spent.  Sometimes we have buyers who are so choosy that it can take months (or more) to find the right one.  So this is a touch one.  But on an overall assessment I would have to agree with the others ... Listing Agents.

Feb 27, 2016 01:56 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Maybe it is slightly higher for the listing agent as they need the camera, more signs and more advertising.

Then again the buyers agent spends more in gas and repairs of the vehicle showing homes all over the place.

Feb 27, 2016 01:39 AM
Ambassador
6,392,929
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Depends on the phase of the project.

May 29, 2019 10:58 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,472
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Depending on how many homes and how long it takes to find a home, I think buyers.    However, I do professional photography for sellers, and sometimes aerials depending on what the home offers.  

Feb 28, 2016 11:23 PM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

It all depends on the client. No general rule on this one.

Feb 27, 2016 10:27 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I agree with Jeff.

Feb 27, 2016 09:19 PM
Rainmaker
5,216,353
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Jeff Dowler has he correct answer 99.44% of the time. There are always exceptions!

Feb 27, 2016 08:59 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Listing agents.  Spend more. Make more.

Feb 27, 2016 08:53 PM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

Spends more time? Buyers agent

Spends more money/ Listing agent

Feb 27, 2016 06:38 PM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 I would almost say more time is spent in buyers agency. Most of the agents I know that do sellers feel that it is easier.

Feb 27, 2016 05:54 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I work as a buyer agent and as a listing agent. Depends on the buyer and listing, but working with buyer can be very time consuming, promoting a posh listing, can be very expensive( since you work for free till closing, if ever).

Feb 27, 2016 04:18 PM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

It depends upon the business model of each agent.

Feb 27, 2016 04:14 PM
Rainer
321,564
Melissa Jackson REALTOR
Trinity Premier Properties - Azle, TX
Helping You Make The Right Move

Depends on situation. Had a listing, photos, post cards, open house plus issues arose that needed constant attention and many miles, lots of fuel.  On the other hand - a buyer that looks at homes for a little too long.. fuel and time spent. 

Feb 27, 2016 02:18 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, Broker, Tacoma Washington this is simple.

In buyer's market, listing agent ends up spending more and in sellers market, the buyers agent spend lot more on Gas and traveling.

Feb 27, 2016 02:14 PM
Rainer
80,653
Linda Guess
Keller Williams Tri-Lakes Branson, MO - Branson, MO
Branson area real estate sales.

The listing agent usually spends more money.

Feb 27, 2016 01:36 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

I'd say listing agent more money, and buyers' agent more time.

Feb 27, 2016 11:37 AM
Rainmaker
2,707,721
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

It not only depends on the circumstances, it depends on who you ask.n  A buyer's agent will say they spend more...a listing agent will say they do!  

Feb 27, 2016 11:31 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Absolutely the listing agents if they are good ones. I know I spend a lot of time and money. I have heard buyers agent say they like buyers because they don't have all the handling that sellers agents have to do.

Feb 27, 2016 11:21 AM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I think it can go either way. I spend money on marketing my listings, but I also spend money on attracting buyers and then traveling around to look at houses with them. 

Feb 27, 2016 11:20 AM
Rainmaker
2,362,595
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

listing agent!!!

Feb 27, 2016 11:05 AM
Ambassador
3,164,119
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I work for both and buyers take more time, but sellers get more money spent on them.

Feb 27, 2016 11:01 AM
Rainmaker
4,935,567
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Paul I would say listing agent but change on that after driving buyers to see one house a day because we have no inventory and each house is getting multi offers

 

Feb 27, 2016 09:19 AM
Rainmaker
72,125
Darin Henderson
Holland Realty Services - Kirksville, MO
Guiding You Home

As I read your question, did some quick calculations without the benefit of having researched this or done the math in my own business model before leads me to believe the correct answer is "It depends"  On how much the listing agent spends on marketing and how much qualifying the buyers agent does.  My gut answer is the Buyers agent spends more.

Feb 27, 2016 09:11 AM
Rainmaker
900,118
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

Listing agents.

Feb 27, 2016 09:11 AM
Rainmaker
763,783
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

A listing agent spends much more money an usually will make less during the sale.  However, they may get future listings, double end the sale or find future buyers.  That's the origin of List to Last.

Feb 27, 2016 07:07 AM
Rainer
23,400
Desmond Neoh
Weichert, Realtors - North Bethesda, MD
Your Area Specialist, Multilingual

Buyer, if has some who wanna see thousand houses

Feb 27, 2016 04:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,186
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I think personally that if you consider the time, money and grief factors of each (and consider that listing agents often also have to deal with buyers, and buyer's agents, with sellers) . . . it's a wash. The real Q is: what are you temperamentally suited for. And there is no right or wrong answer.

Feb 27, 2016 03:35 AM
Rainmaker
797,457
Liz Wallace
Century 21 Sherlock Homes - Rockville Centre, NY
Broker C21 Sherlock Homes, Rockville Centre, LI, N

A listing Agent.

Feb 27, 2016 03:34 AM
Rainer
9,018
Ashley Sanders
Golf Life Properties - Golden Gate, FL
Real Estate Sales

I agree 100% with Jeff Dowler.

Feb 27, 2016 03:28 AM
Rainmaker
140,768
Joan Dickie
Keller Williams Premier Realty - La Crosse, WI
Keller Williams Premier Realty

It depends.  If a house is sold the first day of being on the market and the agent hasn't started marketing and this is the 50th home the buyer has seen, I'd say the buyers agent.

The way I market my listings, it is the sellers agent that spends more money.

Feb 27, 2016 03:23 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

More time buyers agent.  More money sellers agent.

Feb 27, 2016 03:21 AM
Rainmaker
5,005,574
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

In my opinion the listing gagent does.

Feb 27, 2016 03:21 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Depends on the client and the amount of time to sell or buy

Feb 27, 2016 03:15 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

It can be either, depending on the situation.

Feb 27, 2016 03:09 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Depends on the level of service selected by the Seller AND/OR Buyer.

I've worked with buyers who paid me!

In the typical 90 market place, the listing agent will spend more per transaction. 

 

Feb 27, 2016 02:48 AM
Rainmaker
1,466,207
Michael Setunsky
Woodbridge, VA
Your Commercial Real Estate Link to Northern VA

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, Broker, Tacoma Washington A buyers agent.

Feb 27, 2016 02:02 AM
Rainer
94,105
Val Evans
Scottsdale, AZ

Time... buyer agents. Money... listing agents. Who makes more money? Listing agents by far.

Feb 27, 2016 01:51 AM
Rainmaker
911,228
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

Usually listing agents

Feb 27, 2016 01:47 AM
Rainer
274,059
Curtis Evans
Cabin Realty LLC/ USA, Licensed in Louisiana - Golden Meadow, LA

Listing Agents.

Feb 27, 2016 01:45 AM
Rainmaker
564,720
Women of Westchester Working Together
Women of Westchester Working Together - West Harrison, NY
Women helping Women get ahead

From what I see, generally, listing agents both spend and make more money.

Feb 27, 2016 01:28 AM