The hidden conflict in traditional real estate commission structures

But what most sellers don’t realise is that the way traditional real estate commission works can introduce a layer of complexity, and sometimes conflicting motivations, into the process. 

How the traditional model works 

In many real estate models, the commission is split between two agents: 

• The agent who lists your home  
• The agent who brings the buyer  

This is often referred to as a shared or conjunctional sale. On the surface, it sounds like a positive. More agents, more buyers, more opportunity. 

But it also means the person working most closely with the buyer may not be the same person representing you. 

Where it gets complicated  

When two agents are involved, their motivations can naturally differ.  

The listing agent is focused on achieving the best possible outcome for the vendor, while the selling agent is working alongside their buyer to help them secure the property. 

Both are professionals. Both are doing their job. 

But they are approaching the same transaction from different sides. 

What that can mean for sellers 

In practice, this can create a more complex experience for sellers. Buyers may be guided by an agent who doesn’t deeply know the property. Conversations can pass through multiple people. The person negotiating may not be the same person who built the original strategy with you. 

And responsibility for the final outcome can start to blur. 

It’s not necessarily a broken system. 

But it is a more layered one than many sellers expect. 

A simpler, more aligned approach 

At Tall Poppy, we take a simpler, more aligned approach. 

With our List & Sell model, the agent who lists your home is the same agent who sells it.  

They work with you from the very beginning, building the strategy, managing the marketing, speaking directly with buyers, and negotiating the final result. 

No handoffs. 
No split responsibility. 
No confusion about who owns the outcome.  

Why alignment matters 

That alignment matters. When one person is responsible for both the listing and the sale, everything becomes clearer. They understand your priorities, know the property inside out, and manage every buyer interaction. 

Their role is simple - achieve the best possible result for you. 

It also protects your privacy  

Selling your home doesn’t need to feel complicated. 

With Tall Poppy’s List & Sell model, the same agent lists your home and sells it. 

• One relationship. 
• One clear line of accountability. 
• One person responsible for the result. 

A better way to sell. 

The difference is simple. 

But it changes the experience completely. 

• Clearer communication. 
• Stronger trust. 
• Better alignment. 

And a process that feels exactly how it should.