First of all, it would be illegal for Brokers to get together and set prices on brokerage fees. Secondly, you want me to spend more on advertising, do more work marketing the listing, and most likely working with the buyers and sellers more as there tend to be more negotiations and handholding in this down market, yet you want me to cut my rates? Show me another business where that happens. With fewer sales taking place, Realtors incomes have already been greatly slashed. I will remind you that the Listing Agent gets paid only a portion of that brokerage fee, only after the Listing Brokerage, Selling Brokerage (if there is a cooperating broker), and the selling agent, and sometimes an outgoing referral fee are paid. Then, out of what is left, deduct the advertising and other business related expenses for the listing. What you have left is far from what you think Realtors get paid. Also, you may think of a Realtor not spending much time actually working to sell your property, or assist you with purchasing, but you need to think about all of the previous real estate experience the Realtor has invested by writing contracts and holding deals together. What you may see as nothing more than 10 hours worth of work, may be based on 10 years of experience.