Hi sorry if I'm a little late replying to this post.
I'm buying a 5rm resale flat offered at 365k and i'v negotiated to 360k so i have to pay my agent $3600.
i've negotiated the agent fee to $2500. Put your offer to at least half before working your way up. They won't budge even though they will 'make noise' because any amount is still money to them.
imagine how much they make if they sell 3 houses in a week?
anyway there's plenty of agents out there. you can always say you're willing to let go of the house cos you cannot afford to pay so much for the agent fees.