Ran across this article and found it quite well said. Although the thought of making twice as much commission on the same deal is quite appealing, the disservice that results of it to our clients puts it all into perspective. We strive for a win-win in every transaction and dual agency definitely is not a win for the client. Its a shame some buyers still contact the listing agent unknowingly putting themselves at a great disadvantage.
It wouldnt make sense to have your lawyer representing both plaintiff and defendent.. I dont see how this is any different. Why not have someone on your side looking out for your best interests at every step of the process??
Dual agency means serving two masters. No other profession is permitted to engage in this practice that often involves fraud. And real estate agents are perhaps the least qualified to handle this conflict. Dual agency occurs when real estate agents represent both the buyers and sellers on the same transaction. When that happens real estate brokers collect a double commission and they are prohibited from doing anything to the detriment of either party. That means that they can not help you negotiate price or terms of your real estate transaction. It means that they are getting paid twice as much for doing a tenth of the work.
Dual Agency is a conflictive relationship that strips buyers and sellers of service to a level that can best be described as abandonment. Dual agency arises when the real estate broker is representing both the buyer and the seller. It is illegal in every other fiduciary profession except under the most extreme circumstances. It is routinely practiced in residential real estate where there is the least amount of training. When a real estate broker engages in dual agency they may not work to the advantage or the detriment of the buyer or seller. In other words, all the reasons you hired your broker vanish - often with little warning.
Dual agents are legally prevented from negotiating price or terms (two of the most important reasons consumers hire Realtors). And perhaps the biggest problem with this betrayal is that it usually presents itself with little warning to the client - it is a bait and switch. The broker could be acting in the client's best interests all the way up to finding the house that creates a dual agency. At that point the buyer or seller are on their own.
In a dual agency, brokers don't have to share the commission with other brokers so they make twice as much money. They profit greatly from this practice. Realtors, who typically have no understanding of the legal ramifications of their own fiduciary relationship with their clients, often illegally counsel their clients of the so-called benefits of dual agency. We're here to tell you that there are NO benefits and that you should NEVER agree to dual agency. Find a brokerage firm with highly qualified real estate agents and demand that they not engage in dual agency for your own protection.
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