Alta Vida Group — A Team of Homes42day Realty · Licensed in Minnesota
Buyer & Seller Resources
Real estate is one of the largest financial transactions of your life — yet most people go into it without knowing the full picture of costs, fees, and rights. This page exists to change that. We believe an informed client makes better decisions, and better decisions lead to better outcomes.
For Sellers
Most sellers focus on the listing commission percentage — but that's rarely the whole story. Here are the fees and practices that many brokerages quietly build into their transactions, and what you should always ask about before signing a listing agreement.
Many brokerages charge a separate "broker admin fee," "transaction coordination fee," or "compliance fee" on top of the commission — often ranging from $295 to $995 per transaction. This fee goes directly to the brokerage, not to your agent, and it is almost never disclosed upfront. Always ask: "Is there a broker admin fee in addition to the commission?"
This is simply not true. Commission rates have always been negotiable — and since the 2024 NAR settlement, this is more important than ever for consumers to understand. Any agent who tells you their commission is "set" or "standard" is either misinformed or choosing not to negotiate on your behalf. You have the right to ask, and a good agent will have an honest conversation with you.
They don't. A traditional listing agent may provide a lockbox and a yard sign. Alta Vida Group provides professional photography, Zillow Showcase premium placement, a licensed General Contractor for pre-listing repairs, a professional deep clean (advanced at closing), virtual staging, Matterport 3D tours, Homes.com Pro listing, and moving boxes — all included. The difference in what you receive is substantial.
Some agents will suggest an inflated listing price to win your business — then push for price reductions after you're under contract. This strategy, known as "buying the listing," costs sellers time, money, and negotiating power. A home that sits on the market too long signals problems to buyers and almost always sells for less than a correctly priced home.
Seller Cost Breakdown
Selling a home involves more than just the commission. Here is a realistic breakdown of what sellers typically pay at closing in Minnesota, so there are no surprises.
| Cost Item | Typical Range | Alta Vida |
|---|---|---|
| Listing Agent Commission | 2.5% – 3% of sale price | 2% — no hidden fees |
| Buyer's Agent Commission | 2% – 3% of sale price (negotiable) | Negotiated per transaction |
| Broker Admin / Transaction Fee | $295 – $995 | $0 — we never charge this |
| Title Insurance (Owner's Policy) | $500 – $1,500 | Standard — we guide you to fair pricing |
| Closing / Settlement Fee | $300 – $600 | Standard |
| Recording Fees | $50 – $150 | Standard |
| Property Taxes (prorated) | Varies by closing date | Standard |
| HOA Transfer Fees (if applicable) | $100 – $500 | Standard |
| Pre-Listing Repairs / Updates | Varies widely | Licensed GC on staff — we advise what's worth it |
| Professional Deep Clean | $200 – $500 | Advanced at closing — $0 out of pocket upfront* |
| Professional Photography | $200 – $500 | Included |
| Zillow Showcase Listing | $100 – $300/month | Included |
* Deep clean cost is advanced by Alta Vida Group and credited back to the seller at closing. If the transaction does not close, the seller is responsible for the cleaning cost.
For Buyers
The down payment is just the beginning. Many first-time buyers are caught off guard by the additional costs required to close on a home. Here is a complete picture of what to budget for — so you can walk into closing day fully prepared.
Beyond your down payment, plan to have an additional 2% – 5% of the purchase price available for closing costs and prepaid expenses. On a $350,000 home, that means budgeting an extra $7,000 – $17,500 beyond your down payment. We help you understand every line item before you ever make an offer.
Charged by your lender to process the loan
Required by your lender to confirm the home's value
Lender pulls your credit as part of underwriting
Locks your interest rate while the loan processes
Confirms the seller has clear ownership to transfer
Required by your lender — protects the lender, not you
Optional but strongly recommended — protects you
Paid to the title company or closing attorney
Required upfront at closing by your lender
Deposited into escrow to cover upcoming tax bills
Interest owed from closing date to end of the month
Required if your down payment is less than 20%
Strongly recommended — reveals condition issues before closing
Minnesota has elevated radon levels — always test
Especially important for older homes
Mold, chimney, HVAC, well/septic if applicable
We actively advocate for your savings at every step. We refer you to lenders with competitive rates and low fees, inspectors who are thorough and fairly priced, and title companies that won't overcharge. We also work to negotiate seller contributions toward your closing costs whenever market conditions allow — and we never charge you a broker admin fee. That's $0 in admin fees from us, guaranteed.
Important Legal Update
As a result of the landmark NAR (National Association of Realtors) settlement, new rules took effect in August 2024 that changed how buyer's agent compensation works in real estate transactions across the United States.
Under the new rules, buyers are now required to sign a Buyer Representation Agreement before touring homes with an agent. This agreement outlines the buyer's agent's compensation and must be agreed to in writing before any home tours take place.
Additionally, buyer's agent compensation can no longer be listed on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) as a blanket offer. Instead, compensation must be negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis.
You now have more transparency about what your buyer's agent earns and the right to negotiate that compensation.
You must sign a Buyer Representation Agreement before touring homes — this is now required by law, not optional.
The agreement specifies the compensation your agent will receive — either paid by the seller, by you, or a combination.
In the vast majority of transactions, the seller still offers to pay the buyer's agent commission as part of the sale — this has not changed in practice.
Despite the new law, in nearly every transaction in the Twin Cities market, the seller continues to offer compensation to the buyer's agent as part of the sale. This means that in most cases, you as a buyer pay nothing out of pocket for your agent's representation.
What the new law actually does is give you more transparency and more rights — not more costs. We will walk you through the Buyer Representation Agreement clearly, explain exactly what we earn, and make sure you understand every option available to you before you sign anything.
The Alta Vida Difference
We built Alta Vida Group around one principle: you deserve to know exactly what you're paying, what you're getting, and why. Here's how we're different from every other brokerage in the market.
| Feature | Typical Brokerage | Alta Vida Group |
|---|---|---|
| Listing Commission | 2.5% – 3% | 2% |
| Broker Admin Fee | $295 – $995 | $0 |
| Professional Photography | Sometimes included | Always included |
| Zillow Showcase Premium | Rarely included | Always included |
| Matterport 3D Virtual Tour | Extra cost | Included |
| Pre-Listing Deep Clean | Not offered | Advanced at closing |
| Licensed GC for Repairs | Not offered | On staff |
| Moving Boxes (Buyers) | Not offered | Provided |
| Bilingual Service (EN/ES) | Rarely available | Always available |
| First-Time Buyer Education | Varies by agent | Core to our process |
| Buyer Rep Law Transparency | Varies | Full explanation, always |