Seller agency is a fraud...(but only sometimes). Having just read the post, Buyer Agency is a Fraud...(Sometimes) by Maya Paveza, I must agree that this has happened to me also.

Now the other side of that coin is the agent "posing" as the seller's agent. Perhaps you have met a few of them throughout your real estate career.

Here are some of the comments I have heard as a buyer's agent:

• Bring an offer, my client is getting desperate.
  
  
• The listing is about to expire and I need something out it.
  
  
• The sellers have a contract on another place with a kick/out so they need to get this sold now.
  
  
• The house is in terrible shape but once we get the seller's to sign off on an offer I can then talk them into getting all the repairs done.
  
  
• We have it listed for $XXX,XXX but I'm telling you the seller will take $ZZZ,ZZZ.
  
  
• My seller has lost his job and will not be able to make the payments much longer.
  
  
• My clients' daughter's husband left her and they want to move closer to help take care of the grandchildren.
    
• They'll really take a lot less than the asking price.
• Hey, there's always a lot of wiggle room.  Just have your folks make an offer.
  
  
• I can't help it if my sellers are unreasonable about the list price but I'm sure if you bring a contract they'll see the light.
  
  

We all know that if an owner authorizes their listing agent to share this information with other agents it is absolutely OK to do that. However, my concern is with those that have never had this conversation with their clients.

There are agents, whether representing the seller or the buyer, that only see $$$$$ signs. Unfortunately, I have seen it on both sides.  

I certainly realize that this is a business and that we earn our living by helping folks buy and sell real estate.

To me real estate is a SALES and a SERVICE profession. The service we provide is as important as the ultimate sale that hopefully ensues.

The great thing is that, by far, most of the agents I have had interactions with since I've been in real estate (1986) have done a very good job of representing and protecting their clients' interests.

Understanding that protecting your client's interest protects yours as well will make you successful and trusted as a REALTOR.