Estate agents' fees - is it worth doing a tiered structure?

[Ktay]

We're about to put our house on the market and both local agents (at dh's instigation based on what we did last time) have offered either a flat % rate or to work to a tiered structure ie with them earning a higher % if they achieve a higher price.

Is this actually worthwhile or are we better off sticking with the flat rate do you think? Does anyone know how much commission individual negotiators earn? Just wondering how much incentive there is for the individual negotiators to work towards the higher % fee.

Thanks for any insights...

[KATC2010]

I think i would probably go for flat rate as even on this they will earn more commission as a percentage the more that they sell for won't they? Also, unless you're pretty confident that your house will sell for a really good price and therefore net YOU more is it worth going for a tiered structure? I usually think that a house will only sell for what someones prepared to pay for it and what basis their fee's are arranged over aren't going to change that? Also, I think it depends if you're in the mood for sticking it out for longer in order to get a better price (you usually find that if you wait longer there is always someone who is prepared to pay more - we each have our own values of particular houses) or if you would prefer to sell more quickly for a slightly lower price.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

[Ktay]

Thanks, that's what we ended up doing in the end, thought it was best to keep things straightforward.