[harmmonica]

You're totally right that the commission does come from the seller's proceeds, but since openlistings acts as a buyer's agent, they, traditionally, get half the commission once the deal closes. 500k sale price (yes, they exist outside the coasts!), 5% commission = 25,000. 25,000 split between the seller and buying agent = 12,500 per agent. Openlistings (I think) keeps 5,000 of the 12,500 and kicks the other 7,500 back to the buyer... and if you had to include that additional 7,500 as part of a 30-year mortgage they're saving you much more than 7,500 over the life of a traditionally-financed purchase. That said, you're also right that people need education on these things! The agents win (and consumers lose) if the transaction seems complex. Somehow need to make people realize the process is pretty straightforward.