When someone asks, “Help me understand why real estate agents deserve 3%?”, my first reaction is usually to take a deep breath and smile. Not because it’s a bad question, but because it’s based on a myth that’s been floating around for decades. There is no such thing as a standard 3% commission. Yet, this number seems to have taken on a life of its own. To be honest, there are times I feel like 3% represents a third of what I should charge for what I do.

I’m Robbie English, Broker, REALTOR at Uncommon Realty, I’ve spent decades helping clients buy, sell, and invest in Texas real estate. I’ve also taught countless agents across the nation as a national real estate instructor and speaker. I can tell you firsthand that the question isn’t “why do agents deserve 3%?” but rather, “why don’t they deserve far more for what they do?”

TLDR (Too Long; Too Lazy): Help Me Understand Why Real Estate Agents Deserve 3%?

There is no such thing as a standard 3% commission.
You’re not just paying a person, you’re paying for professional expertise and infrastructure.
Real estate agents balance risk, emotion, and complexity daily on your behalf.
Agents absorb significant business expenses so clients don’t have to.
Robbie English, Broker, REALTOR at Uncommon Realty offers decades of unmatched expertise and national-level insight.

Understanding the Misunderstanding

Let’s start by debunking the myth: there is no standard commission rate. Every real estate commission is negotiable. Yet people cling to this idea that real estate agents automatically get 3%. I often chuckle when I hear it because that number seems both random and outdated. The truth is, what you pay for is not a percentage; you’re paying for experience, strategy, and peace of mind.

Think about it this way: why do attorneys deserve 33% or 40% of a settlement? Why do doctors deserve to make a high income? Because their training, expertise, and judgment are irreplaceable. When you hire a real estate agent, you’re hiring someone who safeguards one of your largest financial transactions. You’re also hiring someone who can keep a level head when emotions flare, who can balance the chaos that often comes with buying or selling a home.

So, when someone asks “Help me understand why real estate agents deserve 3%?”, maybe it’s time to ask a different question: why do they deserve so little for the value they bring?

The Myth of the “Standard” Commission

There’s no set rule that says a real estate agent earns 3%. It’s not in any law or regulation. It’s a number that’s been passed down from conversation to conversation, usually from people who have never actually studied how real estate compensation works.

When you agree to a commission, you’re agreeing to hire someone who’s taking on risk, time, marketing expenses, and liability on your behalf. The commission isn’t a guaranteed paycheck. May I say that again? (The commission isn’t a guaranteed paycheck.) And before you come at me saying “we don’t use that word, anymore”, don’t! Call it commission, call it compensation, whatever you choose, it’s the same thing.

If your home doesn’t sell, your agent doesn’t get paid. If you spend months searching for the right home and never close, your agent earns nothing.

Every minute, every call, every showing, every mile driven, every negotiation-those all happen before a single dollar is earned. So, when someone says 3%, what they’re really talking about is the potential return on months of unpaid labor, business investment, and financial risk.

The True Cost of Doing Business

Let’s talk about what agents actually pay for. Because when you pay that commission, you’re not just paying your agent. You’re also covering a host of expenses that most people never see.

Membership in professional associations like the local, state, and national REALTOR organizations isn’t free. Access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) comes with a monthly fee. Agents also pay for lockboxes, marketing materials, high-quality photography, staging advice, and advertising that helps your property get seen by the right audience. (I will spare you from the actual exhaustive list of expenses; it’s insane!)

Add on the cost of business insurance, continuing education, licensing renewals, office space, website hosting, and technology tools, and it’s easy to see how expensive it is just to stay in business. Every one of these costs exists so agents can offer clients a smooth, informed, and compliant experience.

The truth is, if agents actually charged what it costs to deliver the value they provide, 3% would feel like a Texas-sized discount.

Balancing Chaos, Emotions, and Expectations

Real estate is not for the faint of heart. Behind every transaction is a mix of emotions-excitement, anxiety, fear, and sometimes frustration. Agents are the buffer between all that energy and the desired outcome.

Think about what it takes to guide clients through the highs and lows of homeownership transitions. An agent fields calls at all hours, manages timelines, negotiates repairs, navigates legal forms, and calms nerves-all while protecting their client’s best interests.

So, how much would you charge to balance someone’s crazy? How much to manage someone else’s roller coaster of emotions while keeping your own steady enough to make sound decisions? Most people wouldn’t take that job for 3%, yet that’s exactly what great agents do every single day. What about having to answer a client’s phone call with a smile when you’re having the worst day of your life? How much would you charge to be the out-of-the-box thinker, the problem solver, the one who has to keep everything together?

The Value You Can’t Quantify

It’s easy to look at numbers, but the true value of a great real estate agent can’t be measured in percentages. It’s in the peace of mind that comes from knowing someone’s got your back. It’s in the thousands saved through smart negotiation. It’s in the time spared because your agent knew the right lender, inspector, or contractor to call.

When I teach other agents across the country, I often say, “You can’t put a price on the relief clients feel when you solve problems before they even know they exist.” That’s what true service is about. It’s proactive, not reactive.

When people question, “Help me understand why real estate agents deserve 3%?”, they’re often comparing it to their own salary or hourly rate. But this isn’t an hourly job. It’s a results-based profession that requires skill, intuition, and resilience.

What You’re Really Paying For

When you pay a commission, you’re buying expertise that took years-sometimes decades-to develop. You’re paying for the knowledge of contracts, local ordinances, negotiation strategies, and legal disclosures. You’re paying for someone who knows how to price a property strategically and how to structure an offer that wins in a competitive market.

In my case, I’m Robbie English, Broker, REALTOR and founder of Uncommon Realty (nice to meet you), I’ve spent decades mastering the art and science of real estate. I’ve studied markets, trained agents, and refined systems that help clients make smarter moves. My clients get the benefit of all that experience without having to learn it the hard way.

If you think about it, that’s an incredible value proposition. You’re not just paying for representation-you’re paying for protection, precision, and performance.

You Could Do It Yourself, But Should You?

Sure, you can buy or sell your home without an agent. You can even go the For Sale By Owner route. But the question is, should you?

When you choose to go it alone, you’re taking on legal responsibility, negotiation pressure, and marketing challenges that can quickly become overwhelming. Most homeowners underestimate the time and expertise required to handle a transaction correctly.

I’ve seen people try to save on commission only to lose more money in pricing errors, negotiation missteps, or contract mistakes. DIY real estate often results in DIY outcomes (and they ain’t always pretty). It’s a bit like doing your own dental work because you didn’t want to pay the dentist. Technically possible, but not advisable.

The Hidden Network You Benefit From

Real estate isn’t just about one person. It’s a relationship-based business built on networks. When you hire a seasoned professional like me, you’re getting access to a deep well of relationships that took years to build-lenders, inspectors, appraisers, stagers, photographers, contractors, and attorneys.

Those connections matter. They can mean the difference between a deal falling apart and one that closes smoothly. They can save you thousands in repair costs or get you priority scheduling when timing is tight. That’s value most clients never see, but always feel.

Why the 3% Question Misses the Point

The question “Help me understand why real estate agents deserve 3%?” assumes that all agents are the same and that the percentage reflects the same level of service. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.

A great agent doesn’t just fill out paperwork. They anticipate issues before they happen. They strategize, communicate, and negotiate to protect your interests. They’ve been there before, they’d done this before. They’re educators, advocates, problem-solvers, and sometimes therapists.

This profession requires more than just a license; it requires patience, strategy, and intuition. That’s why the right question isn’t about what percentage an agent earns, but about what kind of value you’re getting for the money you invest.

Why Robbie English and Uncommon Realty Are Different

At Uncommon Realty, we do things differently because clients deserve more than the bare minimum. I built this company on the belief that real estate should be smarter, more strategic, and deeply personal.

I’m not just a broker; I’m an educator. I teach agents nationwide about professionalism, ethics, and strategy in real estate. That teaching experience translates directly into how I serve my clients. My goal is to ensure every buyer, seller, or investor walks away empowered, informed, and protected.

Over the years, I’ve honed systems that make transactions smoother, reduce stress, and deliver results. Whether it’s pricing a home to attract the right buyers or structuring a contract that shields my clients from risk, my work is intentional.

If you’re hiring a real estate professional, don’t settle for someone who meets the minimum. Choose someone who’s mastered the craft for your competitive advantage. Choose someone who knows how to read markets, emotions, and motivations. Choose someone who has spent decades doing it right so you don’t have to learn through trial and error.

That’s what you get with me, Robbie English, Broker, REALTOR at Uncommon Realty.

Why the Value Outweighs the Cost

Real estate transactions are complex. They involve contracts, deadlines, legal obligations, and human emotions. One misstep can cost thousands or even jeopardize a deal. The right professional can prevent that.

When you pay a commission, you’re not paying for time; you’re paying for trust. You’re paying for someone to take on responsibility, liability, and accountability. And let’s be real, you’re paying for peace of mind.

When a problem arises, and they always do, you’ll be glad you have someone who’s seen it all, handled it before, and knows exactly what to do next. That’s what experience brings to the table, and it’s why 3% feels like a bargain (because it is).

The Conversation We Should Be Having

Instead of asking why agents deserve 3%, let’s talk about why they don’t charge more. Because truthfully, they should. Between the constant training, association dues, marketing costs, and the emotional labor that goes into each transaction, it’s amazing that agents earn what they do.

This industry isn’t easy. It’s competitive, unpredictable, and constantly changing. Yet, great agents stay at it because they believe in helping people move forward in life. They believe in homeownership, wealth-building, and stability.

So, maybe the better question is: why wouldn’t you want the best person in your corner when it comes to something this important?

Why You Should Work With Robbie English

Hi! Yeah, that’s me! You deserve someone who takes your goals personally. I do. Every client I work with gets my full attention, my expertise, and my commitment to making their transaction a success.

As a national real estate speaker and instructor, I’ve seen what separates average agents from exceptional ones. And I’ve built Uncommon Realty around those principles: clarity, strategy, and service.

When you work with me, you’re not just hiring a REALTOR, you’re hiring decades of mastery, insight, and determination. I’ve strategically developed systems to make every step of your real estate journey smoother and smarter.

I teach agents across the country how to navigate the same challenges I solve for my clients every day. That means when you choose me, you’re getting a level of expertise that few others can offer.

So, if you’re still wondering “Help me understand why real estate agents deserve 3%?”, let’s reframe it. Ask instead, “How much is peace of mind worth?” Because when it comes to your largest investment, you can’t put a price on that.

At the end of the day, 3% isn’t a standard, it’s a story people tell. But my story, and that of Uncommon Realty, is one of service, strategy, and results that far exceed that number.

We’ve Arrived – My Closing Thoughts

When all’s said and done, it’s not about what agents deserve. It’s about what clients gain. The security, the expertise, the advocacy-that’s where the real value lies.

If you want to work with someone who’s spent decades mastering real estate to protect clients and guide them to success, I’m your guy. I’m Robbie English, Broker, REALTOR at Uncommon Realty, and I’d love to help you see firsthand why what I uncommonly do is worth far more than a simple 3%.