The “Overpaid and Under Delivering” Narrative in Real Estate: What Your Agent Won’t Tell You
At Smart AF Real Estate, we’re not afraid to say the quiet part out loud.
There’s a growing wave of frustration among buyers and sellers who feel like they’re paying too much for too little. That wave isn’t wrong. It’s time to question the traditional model, call out what’s broken, and rebuild something better; with honesty, integrity, and real tools that actually serve you.
$15,000 for What, Exactly?
Imagine you’re buying a $1 million home. Your buyer’s agent is about to make approx $15,000 in commission. Now picture them discovering the house needs $6,500 in repairs. Do they tell you?
They should. But will they?
In a system where agents only get paid when the deal closes, there’s a built-in incentive to not rock the boat. Disclosing costly issues could scare you off, and that $15k paycheck disappears. So instead, they stay quiet.
This isn’t an attack on individual agents. It’s a spotlight on an outdated, commission-driven model that rewards silence and punishes transparency.
The Commission Question: Are You Really Getting Value?
The typical 5 to 6 percent commission has been industry standard for decades. But in today’s market, where buyers find homes online, transactions move fast, and much of the paperwork is automated, you have to ask, what exactly are you paying for?
Thousands of dollars for someone to unlock a door? Coordinate inspections? Forward a few emails?
Let’s be honest: the value isn’t always there.
Smart AF Real Estate challenges the idea that big commission equals big service. If the agent isn’t educating, protecting, and advocating for you every step of the way, they aren’t earning that paycheck.
Dual Agency: The Most Dangerous Conflict of Interest
Now let’s talk about one of the biggest secrets most agents won’t warn you about: dual agency.
This is when one agent represents both the buyer and the seller in the same deal. Sounds efficient, right? It’s not. It’s a major red flag.
A single person cannot represent the best interest of two opposing parties. Not in a negotiation. Not when money’s on the line. Not ever.
But many agents don’t disclose the risk. Why? Because dual agency means double the commission.
It’s time to call this what it is: a built-in conflict that leaves you unprotected.
Where We Go From Here
At Smart AF Real Estate, we’re done playing by outdated rules.
We believe in transparency over tradition. Integrity over income. And technology that serves you, not just the industry.
We’re here to:
Expose the half-truths and omissions that cost buyers and sellers money
Empower clients with clear information and real disclosure
Leverage proptech tools that prevent mistakes, flag risks, and ensure better outcomes & confidence in buying
Build a new model of real estate grounded in truth, not pressure
The Smart AF Standard
Smart AF isn’t just a name, it’s a mission. A promise that we’ll tell you what others won’t. That we’ll question every outdated norm. And that we’ll put your interests above closing the deal.
Because real estate doesn’t have to be shady, vague, or salesy.
It can be smart. It can be ethical. And it should always be transparent.
