Are you working with a Realtor? Does the buyer know what this means?

Let’s say a Realtor is holding an open house on his listing.
A family drives by, and decides to stop in and take a look.

The first question to the potential buyers from the Realtor is, ‘Are you working with a Realtor?’ This is a proper and important question.

But what goes on in the mind of the Realtor if the buyers say ‘no.’ The Realtor MAY be thinking, ‘oh goody, an unrepresented buyer. I get double commission on my listing. I will represent both sides since these buyers don’t have a Realtor. AND if they don’t like this house, then I can sell them something else.’

The buyers, though smart in a lot of ways, are innocent to what this question means to the Realtor. They say ‘no’ because at that moment, they have seen the open house sign and impulsively want to take a look.  This is the first house they have looked at since they mentioned moving to each other a couple of weeks ago. With life being as busy as it is, they have not contacted a Realtor to start a formal search for a home.

That night the buyers are talking and both are interested in the house. They both think it has possibilities.  They call a close relative and tell them about the house. The relative reminds them of George, a close friend who has been in their home many times over the years, and has many years of experience in the real estate business.  Maybe George could represent them in this transaction.

Oh, yes, George.  The buyers call George and after catching up, realize that if they buy, they want George to represent them.

Does the Realtor holding the open house have a right to be miffed if George shows the buyers the house again and writes an offer on it? Does the buyer have a right to get their own representation, even if at the time they looked at the open house they hadn’t lined up a Realtor to work with them? What if they don’t want to be represented by the seller’s agent?

Should Realtors fully disclose what they mean, and are thinking, when they ask that question?

Should buyers learn to say to the question something like, ‘Not at this time, but I may want my own representation later?’