Real estate professionals: Why levy a marketing fee when your responsibility is just to advertise and sell homes? What does the extra 2-4% actually fund?

I’m frustrated by added marketing fees on a ~$550k property, especially since most buyers now search online. Are these extra charges truly warranted for mere marketing and selling?

I’m curious if those fees really cover more than online ads—maybe professional staging, high-quality visuals, or targeted social campaigns. Anyone here witnessed these extras boosting sales significantly?

Although the role seems limited to online advertising and selling, the marketing fee covers many behind-the-scenes efforts that can significantly affect a property’s marketability. From my own experience, these fees pay for high-quality visuals, professionally produced brochures, and often staging to present a property in its best light. They also fund targeted ad campaigns and traditional print marketing, which can be crucial in reaching buyers who aren’t solely reliant on digital searches. While the fee might look excessive initially, the resulting promotional improvements often lead to higher and faster sales, more than covering the cost.