So you are planning to buy a home soon. Maybe you have even stopped in at an open house or two. If you did, the hosting REALTOR® may have started talking about buyer's agents and seller's agents and possibly even a dual agent. But what does agency really mean? And why should you as a Minnesota homebuyer care? In Minnesota, real estate brokers and salespersons are required to disclose the type of working relationship they have with the parties in a real estate transaction. As a homebuyer, there are different types of relationships available to you. It is important to understand these before you sign a contract or purchase agreement for a home. These relationships are called “agency” relationships and carry with them legal, fiduciary duties and responsibilities for the broker as well as for the buyer and seller.
The 3 most common agency agreements are the buyer's agent, seller's agent and dual agent.
Buyer’s Agent
A Buyer’s Agent acts solely on behalf of the buyer and owes duties to the buyer including the utmost good faith, loyalty, and fidelity. The agent will negotiate on behalf of, and act as an advocate for, the buyer. The buyer is legally responsible for the actions of the agent when that agent is acting within the scope of the agency. The agent must disclose to sellers all adverse material facts concerning the buyer’s financial ability to perform the terms of the transaction and whether the buyer intends to occupy the property. A separate written buyers’ agreement or contract is required which sets forth the duties and obligations of the parties.
Seller’s Agent
A Seller’s Agent acts solely on behalf of the seller and owes duties to the seller which includes the utmost good faith, loyalty, and fidelity. The agent will negotiate on behalf of, and act as an advocate for; the seller. The seller is legally responsible for the actions of the agent when that agent is acting within the scope of the agency. The agent must disclose to buyers all adverse material facts about the property that are known by the broker. A separate written listing agreement or contract is required which sets forth the duties and obligations of the parties.
In both buyer and seller agency, the following fiduciary duties are owed to the client:
FIDUCIARY DUTIES
Loyalty
Obedience
Disclosure
Confidentiality
Reasonable Care
Accounting
DUAL Agent
A dual agency is created when both the buyer and seller have signed representation agreements with the same broker. The parties may have two different salespersons or they may be the same person. All duties and obligations to the buyers and sellers remain the same in a dual agency.
Because it is impossible to disclose all information AND be confidential at the same time, dual agency must be disclosed and agreed to in writing. All material facts regarding the property must be disclosed regardless of agency.
Why is this so Important?
When you look for a home, every house listed on the MLS has some agreement between the seller and the listing broker. If a buyer does not sign a contract and attends an open house, the nice agent asking all the questions at the open house about your financial ability to purchase is under contract to share everything you say with their seller.
But if a homebuyer signs a contract with a REALTOR® before viewing any homes, their private information stays private. AND the best part for MY buyers is that signing a contract does not cost anything. All fees are paid at the closing and the commission is paid for from the seller so there is NO OUT of POCKET cost to have a REALTOR® in your corner.
Still have Homebuying Questions? Consider attending my FREE Homebuying Class. Click Link for more info or Contact me. I'd be happy to help.
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