Excellent advice Miss Lisa!  I will say though, that I have gotten alot of clients from my signs--when I ask them if they're working with someone and they say that they're not, I offer to save them some gas money (after showing them the home, of course) and send them listings that fit their specific needs!  It works more often than not!

That's what I'm talking about! Same goes here.... representing both sides is definitely not my cup of tea....but as Debe said...I've not only gotten clients' off signs...but Open Houses too :)  Great info for the consumer ..so that they know they need their own agent who will think in their best interests

It's so important for people to understand representation...who is representing them, who is representing the other party...and what the terms of that representation means!

Debe, very rarely do they actually buy the home they are calling on from the sign (actually, I've NEVER had it happen).  But it certainly is not in their best interest to just keep calling every agent with a listing instead of letting a professional help them find the right place.

Sally, I've certainly picked up clients from sign calls before.  I just think it's really important for everyone to be represented fairly and lots of first time buyers don't realize that they can have their own agent and still see any house they want to.

Kelly, it's so different from state to state, so I can only address Louisiana law.  But, dual agency here is when the same REALTOR® represents both the buyer and seller in a transaction.  I know in some other states it is at the broker level, but not here.  And, we don't do buyer brokerage agreements as a rule.  I've only had 1 signed in 6 years - it's just not the custom here although that could certainly change.  The thing that I think is most important is that both buyer and seller are equally represented during a sale.

I agree...and I have not signed a one buyer agreement yet ..... it's the same here....the buyer runs around to open houses or calls signs..... that's why i have my handy dandy buyer brochure :)

Lisa:  What an excellent post.  Very well written, and very well presented, too.  So many buyers are just out doing exactly what you described... and have no clue that they are "unrepresented."  Not a good plan.

I've shown one of my listings twice to a buyer like this. On the second time I met her I discussed buyer agency with her. Nahh, she just wants to drive around and call the "listing agents". Oh well, I tried. 

Lisa, very well written and to the point post.  Why would any buyer in this day and age go around unrepresented by an agent?  Way to educate your market!  High five.

Sally, I'd love to see a sample of that if you want to share :)

Karen Anne, that's just it - they don't know that there is a better solution for them.

Missy, some people won't ever "get it".  They think they will get a better deal by working with the listing agent.  What does that have to do with what the seller is willing to accept?

Brian, thank you!

LISA - It's amazing that I used this exact same concept in a PowerPoint presentation that I just created for buyer brokerage.  I guess it's true that great minds think alike ;-).

Adam, feel free to share :)

Lisa, Well done my friend. You said it pretty well.

'Just want to let you know that I highlighted this post on my outside blog, Focus On Crofton.

Mana, thank you!

Margaret, WOW!  You just made my day - thank you so very much :)

Lisa, you're right.  It seems that so many buyers are not aware of buyer agency and the importance of having their own representation.  They need to be informed.  At open houses that I do for other agents, I hand out a shortened version of the NAR article "Why Use a Realtor When Buying a Home?"  Your post is so well written that I'm thinking of rewriting my handout and incorporating some of your excellent points.  Thanks for a great post.

Sallie, thank you - I love to meet other LA agents here - thanks for stopping in!