Then what’s wrong with buyers’ agents taking a flat fee, and sellers’ agents taking a percentage? That right there could almost cut these types of fees in half.
I'd rather see both sides take a flat fee + a higher percentage of the difference from some benchmark. Say, $2,000 + 20% * (Zillow's estimated value - sale price) for the buyer's agent. I have no strong opinion on whether the second addend should be floored at $0 or not.