Genuine Realty in Chattanooga: How Agent Compensation Shapes Your Home Sale
Genuine Realty is a residential real estate brokerage operating in the Chattanooga area that represents both buyers and sellers, with agents compensated through commission splits tied to completed transactions rather than flat fees or salary.
What Genuine Realty actually is
Genuine Realty functions as a traditional MLS-connected brokerage where individual agents list properties and represent buyers in the Chattanooga market. Like most residential brokerages in Tennessee, it operates within the multiple listing service system, meaning its listings appear alongside competitors' properties and agents from other firms can show them to their clients. The firm's revenue model, standard across residential real estate, depends on transaction completion: when a home sells, the listing agent's brokerage typically receives a portion of the total commission (often 5 to 6 percent of the sale price, split between listing and buyer's agents), which is then divided between the firm and the individual agent according to their agreement.
How agents are paid and what this means for you
At Genuine Realty, as at other Chattanooga brokerages, compensation structure determines both agent incentives and your costs. A listing agent works for the seller but typically offers to pay the buyer's agent a commission from the seller's side of the deal (often 2.5 to 3 percent of sale price). This means the buyer's agent's fee comes from the seller's proceeds, not from the buyer's pocket, though it's factored into the negotiated price. The listing agent earns commission only when the home sells, creating pressure to price competitively and market actively. If you are selling, confirm whether Genuine Realty charges a flat fee, takes a percentage of the final sale price, or uses a tiered commission (lower percentage on higher prices), as these structures vary even within the same brokerage. If you are buying, you typically pay nothing out of pocket to a buyer's agent, since that fee is paid from the seller's commission, but you should ask whether your agent works exclusively for you (buyer's agent) or represents the seller (dual agency), as this affects their legal obligation to your interests.
Comparing agent-based sale to FSBO and discount brokerages in Chattanooga
Selling through Genuine Realty (or any traditional agent) costs more upfront than a for-sale-by-owner (FSBO) approach but typically nets sellers more money. FSBO sellers in Chattanooga avoid the 5 to 6 percent commission entirely but must handle marketing, showings, inspections, and negotiation themselves, and many buyer's agents still expect to be paid a commission even when the seller isn't represented, reducing the savings. A discount brokerage charges a flat fee (often $500 to $2,000 for listing services) or a reduced percentage (2 to 3 percent), appealing to sellers confident in their market knowledge, but offers less hand-holding and may limit marketing reach. Genuine Realty's traditional commission model suits sellers who want professional pricing analysis, staging advice, broad MLS exposure, and negotiation support; it suits buyers who want an agent to identify off-market opportunities and advocate during inspection and appraisal phases. It does not suit sellers trying to avoid all agent costs or buyers seeking fixed-fee representation unrelated to transaction size.
Evaluating a Genuine Realty agent
Before hiring an agent from Genuine Realty, verify their Tennessee real estate license through the Tennessee Real Estate Commission website and ask for references from recent clients (within the past 12 months). Request their average days-on-market for listings, their list-to-sale-price ratio (what percentage of asking price homes typically sell for), and whether they use professional photography and staging. If buying, ask whether they represent other clients in your target neighborhood and how they identify unlisted properties. Ask directly how their commission is split with Genuine Realty and whether that split changes if the property takes longer to sell or the price drops; some brokerages offer higher percentages to agents who consistently close quickly or hit volume targets. Do not hire based on a single conversation; interview at least two agents from different brokerages to understand the Chattanooga market's current conditions and get a sense of preparation depth.
Hours, location, and first steps
Contact Genuine Realty directly to confirm current office hours and address, as brokerage locations and staffing can shift. Your first meeting typically involves a listing consultation (if selling) or buyer consultation (if buying): the agent will tour your home or learn your preferences, discuss the local market, and explain the process. Bring recent property tax records if selling, proof of income and credit information if buying. The process from listing to closing generally takes 30 to 45 days in Chattanooga's current market, though this varies with inspection requests and appraisal issues.
Genuine Realty's value depends entirely on the individual agent's knowledge of the Chattanooga area and their hustle; the brokerage name alone does not guarantee results, so the agent-vetting step is not optional.
