Personalized Services,
Personalized Fees
Before I became a Realtor®, I used to sell my own homes without the help of a conventional real estate agent. Why? Because agents' fees didn't make sense to me.
It's why I created my unique Contextual Commission(™).​​​
Size isn't everything
Many brokerages charge commission as a flat percentage of your home's sale price. If they charge, say, 2.5% and your home sells for $1m, you pay $25,000 in fees (excluding any buyer's agent fees). If it sells for $4m you pay $100,000.
​
But it rarely takes four times the effort or four times the expertise to sell the $4m property.
​
What's an agent worth?
This is where my unique Contextual Commission comes in. I don't charge a flat percentage rate: I calculate my fees based on how much effort and expertise will be required to sell your specific home.
I look at factors such as local supply and demand; the condition of your property and how much preparation is required; the complexity of the sale; and your own expectations. And I take into account the likely listing price - my fees taper down as prices rise. ​​
My compensation is between 1% to 2.5% - the lower fees typically apply if your home is higher value or easier to sell.
​
It's simple economics. If I can complete two sales in the time it takes to complete one more time-consuming sale, I can charge half the price. And since it doesn't take four times the effort or expertise to sell a $4m home versus a $1m home, I don't charge four times as much.
​
Personalized service
Most importantly, regardless of the level of fees, you get the same top-quality personalized service from me. This includes:
-
in-depth knowledge of specific local markets to better prepare and price your home
-
hands-on management every step of the way, from help readying your home for sale (including refreshing or remodeling) to handing over the keys
-
compelling marketing and great negotiation skills
-
support from my team and my network of stagers, contractors, photographers and other key players
​​​​
I'm based in Mountain View, where I've lived in five different neighborhoods and built homes in three. I help sellers in specific San Francisco neighborhods and across the mid-to-south peninsula, including Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Sunnyvale and Mountain View. Contact me to find out more!
​​
* Fees for third party services (e.g. home staging) and refurbishment costs (e.g. for new kitchen cabinets) may be charged in addition to my Contextual Commission
** See "Reducing real estate commissions: are low-fee brokers a viable alternative for home sellers?", published by the Consumer Policy Center, June 2025
If you're looking to sell, buy or build in the Bay Area,
let's discuss how I can help you!
Keith Rodgers is founder and CEO of The Dachshund’s Undercarriage, a construction consulting company. He's also a Realtor® (DRE# 02233979) with Pinnacle Realty Advisors, a licensed real estate broker (02220139) in the State of California. Pinnacle Realty Advisors abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws.
If you are represented by a real estate broker to sell your property or purchase property, this is not intended as a solicitation.
All material presented here is intended for informational purposes only and is subject to errors and omissions.​​​​​​