Can i be my own broker and keep 3%?

You need a broker's license to be able to accept fees, that's different from a common salesperson license which is easy to get after 70 hrs or so of classes. A broker is able to supervise and hire agents, accept fees, etc.

Most listings are for sale by agent so yes there probably will be a co-broke, or commission offered to a buyers' agent. The home seller has already agreed to pay 6% to a listing agent. The traditional real estate listing agent charges a home owner 6% all-in, and will keep all of it if it sells to an unrepresented buyer (hint: conflict of interest) or will share half with a “co-operating” broker if that broker brings a home buyer to close the deal. Since you are probably looking at a for sale by agent property, you may as well try to keep some of the buyer agent commission (typically half, or 3%) for yourself.

Just work with a buyers' agent who offers commission rebates like hauseit.com/home-buyer-cash-back and you can keep on average half of it for yourself to cover all of your closing costs!

ALL Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons in the State of New York must be Licensed by the State through the NYS Department of State. Licensing requirements include: Pre-Licensing education, a Licensing examination, approval from New York State Department of State and continuing education.

Regulations on real estate salespersons and real estate brokers in New York are among the strictest regulations in the United States. In short, no person other than a Licensed Real Estate Broker may earn a commission or fee for the sale or rental (or other activities defined by law) of real property in New York State. Real Estate Salespersons engage in the same activities but only under the supervision of a Licensed Real Estate Broker; the Broker arranges compensation of the Salesperson. The NYS Dept. of State considers very seriously any complaints from consumers regarding a Licensee.

More information from Dept. of State about Real Estate Broker Licensing: http://www.dos.ny.gov/licensing/re_broker/re_broker.html

More information from Dept. of State about Licensing of Salespersons: http://www.dos.ny.gov/licensing/re_salesperson/re_salesperson.html

REBNY is a local Board or association of Real Estate Brokers who have come together to share common information about local market properties for sale (listings), market conditions, and sales ethics and guidelines. REBNY is not a Licensing entity.

Boards of real estate brokers exist in different communities/localities depending on the needs of those communities. For example, LIBOR or Long Island Board of Realtors encompasses the Multiple Listing System and all Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons located within portions of Queens County, Nassau County and Suffolk County. REBNY provides a similar (but not the same) service for Brokers and Salespersons within its bounds.