Buying a house without a Realtor is like going to court without an attorney.  As Realtors, we need to continue to educate the public about the buying process and the role a Realtor plays in that process. I like the thought that all buyers being "serious buyers, grounded in reality."

It's bound to happen! I accept it as something that comes along with being in the business and simply learn to ask alot of questions when I get the opportunity to have that kind of conversation. The one who asks the most questions, controls the conversation...

Clarification:

"Exclusive Buyers Agents " ONLY work in offices that NEVER list property or represent sellers...

try to convert every contact you can. Sometimes they turn into great customers.

Some people run head long into the wall, some just dance around the wall, but most people have no idea what is behind the wall of a real estate transaction and so therefore try to take charge, as if that will protect them.  You make great points, but when you are not listening at the beginning when the person is talking about the listing, how can yo expect them to listen to your information?  Just saying.

You are right, people don't read and so they don't know the nuance of your website saying we only represent Buyers.  As an agent who lists and works with the buyers who come in I often can double end a deal. As the Buyers Agent I can never do that.I think we all choose how to conduct our business, but listening fully needs to be one of the first skills developed.

First off in the State of Florida every brokerage is a transition broker unless you disclose you are a single or non representive. It is not Illegal to work with both seller and buyers and we have limited fiduciary. Have you read the #1 seller THE MILLIONAIRE REAL ESTATE AGENT? It is a model on how to be successful in Real Estate. The basis of its model is to get all the listings you can as for every listing sale you get you should get at least 1 buyer sale. This is a book wriiten that interviewed the top 50 agents in the country. This is the pricipal all the top companies use. I understand your company only works with buyers and thats why you have a limited uinderstanding on how you can work both sides and still be fair. But it is wrong to sit there and say in general we all are doing a disservice to out clients. I know this is your pitch to get your clients to work with you because you are not allowed to accept listing. Common sense the more clients you have the more referrals and the more word of mouth you get. It we were doing our clients a disservice our companiees would go under from bad word of mouth, so we must be doing something right as we are growing and the companies that are Exclusive Buyers Agency's are falling by the wadeside in numbers in the Country.

You say we are money hungery self serving but your model is the just that. You spin this theory just to get clients to work with you. So you can make a living. Its not about the best thing for your client. You have never had to work a short sale or a foreclosure. I have better knowledge to help a buyer then you will as I know all aspects of the Real Estate industry

Dear Joel#113: 

Before you insult someone about their "limited" understanding, and your "better" knowledge,  please educate yourself on what a Florda Transaction Broker is...you are spitting fire and don't even understand the basics of what your own state rules are regarding real estate relationships. Dual agency in Florida has been illegal for more than 10 years...

1.  There is NO FIDUCIARY DUTY in a transaction broker relationship.  None, zip zero zilch.

2.  The Florida Transaction Broker Notice says that the licensee will "ASSIST"..."ASSIST" does NOT mean "REPRESENT".

3.  The Florida definition of "limited" representation ONLY means that a buyer or seller is not responsible for the acts of the licensee (NOTE:  the word "agent" is never used, only licensee) a transaction broker cannot advocate for anyone.

Transaction Brokers are middle men, who fill out the paperwork and must remain NEUTRAL.  You, my friend are grossly uninformed...about everything.

...and yes, I read "The Millionare Real Estate Agent" and also went to a 3 hour seminar on it. 

...and yes, I am also an EBA and also short sale certified. 

Eve in Orlando

Eve  Well said...you saved me from saying it.  I wish I could remember the name of the gentleman that was my 1st intro to EBA's.  I think he is/was in Ohio and a former President of NAEBA.  I remember he was very outspoken...but convinced me a working agency relationship was more important than ego and money.

TRANSACTION BROKER RELATIONSHIP.

(a)  Transaction broker-duties of limited representation.--A transaction broker provides a limited form of representation to a buyer, a seller, or both in a real estate transaction but does not represent either in a fiduciary capacity or as a single agent. The duties of the real estate licensee in this limited form of representation include the following: 
1.  Dealing honestly and fairly; 
2.  Accounting for all funds; 
3.  Using skill, care, and diligence in the transaction; 
4.  Disclosing all known facts that materially affect the value of residential real property and are not readily observable to the buyer; 
5.  Presenting all offers and counteroffers in a timely manner, unless a party has previously directed the licensee otherwise in writing; 
6.  Limited confidentiality, unless waived in writing by a party. This limited confidentiality will prevent disclosure that the seller will accept a price less than the asking or listed price, that the buyer will pay a price greater than the price submitted in a written offer, of the motivation of any party for selling or buying property, that a seller or buyer will agree to financing terms other than those offered, or of any other information requested by a party to remain confidential;

(b) Presumption of transaction brokerage.—It shall be presumed that all licensees are operating as transaction brokers unless a single agent or no brokerage relationship is established, in writing, with a customer.

And Eve there is not a Florida Transaction Broker notice if the State of Florida. All Real Esate Licensee's are Transaction Brokers, Unless you declare you are a single agent or no Brokerage relationship at all.

READ the state disclosure, you forgot the best part:

Limited representation means that a buyer or seller is not responsible for the acts of the licensee. Additionally, parties are giving up their rights to the undivided loyalty of the licensee. This aspect of limited representation allows a licensee to facilitate a real estate transaction by assisting both the buyer and the seller, but a licensee will not work to represent one party to the detriment of the other party when acting as a transaction broker to both parties.

Joel  Let me put my $.02 into this.  Think of what we do as treating every client we have an agency relationship with as either our father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter.  If you were helping your daughter or mother buy a new home would you treat them fairly or would you work for them?  Think about it!  We work for our clients...much more than honest and fair. 

We respect the traditional agents as they are honest and fair in their dealings...AND WE EXPECT THE SAME RESPECT!

John all I am saying is she states several times that we cannot legally represent both sides. And that there is no way we can be fair to both sides if we do. That is all I am arguing. This just is not fact. I understand its her model of her company but what she states just isnt fact.

Joel  I see a Transaction Broker as a referee in a ball game.  The ref keeps the game honest and fair.  Yes, you can treat each side honestly and fairly.

You stated Carla had a limited understanding of traditional brokerage.  I'm sure she will accept your apology.

You mentioned The Millionaire Real Estate Agent and success is based on making the most money because you have the most listings.  Money is a very poor measurement of success and wealth.  I wouldn't trade my life, wife, family, health, friends, clients...for any amount of success measured by money.

If your next listing or buyer was yourself...trust me, the Florida Real Estate Commission is not going to let you be a Transaction Broker.  You have someone's interest at heart.

Enjoy your day!

Carla I still disagre with you. If someone calls me on my property I try my best to sell them that property if its truly what they want. Why would I walk then to someone else property and take half a deal if they like mine and as you say I can double dip. 

But how many clients do you get that actually buy the house they call you on? Or the first house they see? 1 in 10? 

Yes I get other leads from my listing. and yes that is why I take listings. Its alot cheaper way to advertise myself. But I do not do a disservice to my client. I try to sell every listing I have as fast as possible. That is how I get more listing from word of mouth selling homes in a resonable time frame for fair market value.

In Florida we don't have dual agency. All parties are governed by the agency disclosures. I question whether I can represent a buyer and seller as a transaction broker without dealing honestly and fairly to both parties. That is just how I am. Been doing this for too long to do it any other way. 

Carla - Great post. I have heard this line many times as well. When you sit down with a buyer and explain the laws of agency to them, it really is an eye-opener.