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The going rate is 2.5% to both the selling agent and the buying agent, each.

Even if we ignore the expenses, that's only $100k/yr in an area where $117k/yr is below poverty line for 4 person family.

Where is your 4 homes per year stat coming from? It's extremely low.

Quick search on Zillow shows 12:

The key factor is that you don't have to sell houses where you yourself live.