I am not in Michigan.u00a0 But you have a right to buy property from whomever you want under terms that are agreeable only to the two of you. It is not necessary to involve a realtor unless you want to. But after you shake on the deal, you, go to your own lawyer and have him right it down, and then have the other guy sign, this eliminates last minute deal changes, as much as possible.u00a0I use realtors to locate property, and sometimes I already know what I want to buy. If I already know, I don't need a realtor unless I want to remain anonymous and have the contract negotiated for me, which is sometimes best.I can offer the realtor any amount I want to work for me, 6% is only the average (not an amount that is required by law). SO you can use a realtor or not, you can negotiate your own deal with the seller and/or your realtor.However if you want to buy a property already listed with a realtor, (s)he will be paid, whatever the seller agreed to pay her. You pay her nothing at all.If you have a realtor working for you at your expence, you will pay your realtor and not a dime more.If you tell a realtor to go find a house, andu00a0 s/he finds a house listed by a realtor, the realtors will probably expect to split the usual 6% paid by the seller. If you have some follow up questions. post them as a comment and I will be notified and get back to you.