Forms of Agency
From a buyer perspective:
Listing Agent
The agent who represents the Seller
This is the Agent you call when you see a ‘For Sale’ sign in a yard; or when you call about an ad in the newspaper; or when you walk into an open house on Sunday afternoon. This Agent is obligated to get the best price for the seller. This Agent becomes a “Dual Agent”, if he or she represents a buyer on the sale of one of his or her company’s listings.
Buyer’s Agent
The agent who represents the Buyer … and maybe the Seller too.
Every real estate agent now wants to call themselves a “Buyer’s Agent”. Buyer’s Agents that work in a traditional real estate office, which takes listings, can indeed represent a buyer. But if that buyer wants to see a home listed by the same company, then the buyer’s agent becomes a dual agent representing both the buyer and the seller. Can someone fully represent two parties, with opposing interests, at the same time? We think not.
Exclusive Buyer’s Agent
The agent who represents only the Buyer … and never the Seller.
This Agent works for a real estate company that never takes property listings, but rather, chooses to represent BUYERS ONLY – 100% of the time. This agent never risks becoming a dual agent. An Exclusive Buyer’s Agent represents the purchaser’s interest 100% of the time. This is the preferred choice that we offer to our clients.
Buyer’s Code
Stop and think.
Proceed with caution.
Go with confidence.