Brokers Commissions

There is no such thing as USUALLY. It all depends on many different issues. To name a fiew:
1. Price
2. Timing
3. Exclusive Agreement bwn. broker and owner.
...

You're not (directly) paying the commission so why are you worrying about it? Offer a lower list price based on it, let the seller worry about it.

But judging by the Wall Street news over the past week, I wouldn't buy a thing right now.

The market has taken all this into account. Typically, the brokerage agreement provides that if there is no co-broker than the fee is less providing more flexibility for the buyer to negotiate.

Thanks for the answers. So if I don't bring a broker then I am not responsible for paying a fee?

even if you did bring a broker, you wouldn't be responsible for a fee (unless you had some very unusual arrangement with that broker). your broker would simply get a piece of what otherwise would go to the selling broker

tribecaresident, even if you do bring a broker, "your" broker gets half of the (typically) 6% commission paid by the seller. Nothing comes from you (well, not directly). As mefeldstein pointed out, the seller and seller's broker may have a deal specifying that if the buyer has no broker, the commssion is reduced, giving the seller more room to negotiate with you.

tribecaresident, if you don't know the answer to these basic questions, I think you're getting in above your head.

stevejhx - these might be basic questions for you, but not necessarily for tribecaresident. s/he is still coming up the learning curve. everyone was there at some point in their lives.

ITM, if you look at the recent "Laid Off" thread you'll see the idea of straight-talk being praised. tribecaresident may be just coming up, but he/she is just coming up and bidding on property. I know a lot of people are getting on Steve these days, but I don't think that post was insulting. tribecaresident would be wise to hold off, do a lot of reading here, at curbed at urbandigs (the trio suggested on that other thread by kylewest), ask whatever questions are necessary and re-approach the prospect of buying better informed.