Truth about what Realtors Get Paid

It's amazing to me that people think that on a $200,000 home sale, I get paid 12,000(6%). I wish!! The 6% is split between the listing real estate company and the buyer's real estate company. Of the 3% that my company receives, my portion of that varies from around 50% to 80% depending on how much business I've conducted during the year. Keep in mind that I pay for all the advertising as well as franchise fees and insurance. So, on a typical transaction, after advertising costs are paid, I receive about 1% of the sales price, or $2000 on the sale of a $200,000 home. Of course, in addition to regular federal income tax, we pay a 15.3% self-employment tax as well. And since we are independent contractors, we pay for our own health insurance. And I thought my job as an educator was poorly paid.