I have noticed a bad trend in our industry. That trend is to charge a "transaction" fee (a.k.a. broker closing fee, doc prep fee, broker fee. etc.) to both sellers and purchasers involved in a real estate transaction. This fee is charged by the listing broker to a seller or by a selling broker to the buyer. Most of the time the client isn't aware that this fee is even being charged and paid to the broker/agent, nor are they aware that this fee is simply made-up and mostly serves to cover no added expences or services performed. In my opinion, it is simply greed, and ChangingStreets.com takes no part in it.
It has become such a common practice that title companies now inquire how much of a fee we "are charging the client", when they call to verify closing information just prior to closing escrow on a sale.
I also had a loan officer tell me today that another real estate agent had told (not asked) her to "add a $250.00 transaction fee into the closing costs" that they were asking the seller to pay for the buyer..I am not making this up!
Keep in mind, that these fees are in addition to the commission already being charged and paid to an agent at closing.
I can't and won't tell another professional (outside of my company) how to run their business. If a fellow real estate practitioner wants to charge additional fees to their clients, they have that right. I do, however, have a huge problem with them not disclosing these charges clearly and in advance of engaging into a working relationship with a potential client. Had they done so, they more-than-likley wouldn't have that relationship.
As a potential client, you need to ask if such business practices exist within any real estate company they might consider doing business with.