FiChai

There is no "fixed" rate but a "market standard" rate for most people to follow. There could be higher or lower, or with special bonus, which you have to discuss with your realtor to determine a rate that both of you happy with (you as the seller). Buyer needs not to give commission to realtor, but in fact is the seller who needs to give both parties.

FiChai

Don't think that a for sale sign put up in front of the property is a must, and actually many sellers prefer not to do so. And what works the best traffic is internet advertisement, mls mainly.

FiChai

I believe nobody tries to lie here and all of us are just sharing our experience and pov, no worries.
Whether you "should" work with a realtor or not is really up to your own believe, no matter you're a seller or buyer, there is no absolute right or wrong thingy.

Yes, realtors have very straight working ethics that they supposed to follow. But bad apples are out there. There are realtors got fined or suspended each year, not to mention how many did bad things but didn't get caught. Double-ended realtor (work for the seller and buyer in the same deal) bears even more liability, in fact there is more conflict of interest that the full commission (instead of sharing between the seller's agent and buyer's agent) is so tempting for the only agent to carry out the needed ethics perfectly. So, why not work with your own realtor as you are a buyer, since you don't need to pay him/her but the seller (most cases)?