A cooperating broker (or "buy-side broker") represents the buyer in a transaction. Listing broker typically splits commission with cooperating broker — creating incentive to broadly market to other brokers.
In a cooperating transaction, the listing broker represents the seller while the cooperating broker represents the buyer. Both brokers share the commission (typically 50/50 or negotiated). This arrangement broadens buyer reach for the seller at no additional cost.
LA multifamily transactions routinely involve cooperating brokers. Institutional buyers almost always use buy-side representation. Broad cooperating-broker outreach expands the buyer pool meaningfully vs. direct-to-buyer marketing only.
From the Sterman LA Multifamily Glossary — defined the way a broker with $1.41 billion across 254 closed transactions actually uses these terms.
Michael Sterman, Senior Managing Director Investments, Marcus & Millichap.
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