It seems that Dual Agency has become a hot topic again on the interwebs...or perhaps it just never died down. I've had conversations recently with buyers and sellers about dual agency...and why I will never double end a deal.
Now, before I get going - understand that there are two "types" of dual agency:
1 agent, both sides - this is where the listing agent is also the buyer agent on a single deal
AND
2 agents, 2 sides, one brokerage - probably self explanatory. Proper disclosure must be made to all parties.
Having said that, let me clarify - I will never do the first one. The 2nd one is pretty unavoidable in a brokerage with 1200 agents.
So - what's the big deal about the first one? I do know agents that will take both sides and my hat is off to them. In some areas, that's how it's done. If it were a situation where I personally knew both parties, maybe I would do the deal. However, to me, I can only have one "master" - where I can truly give them the fudiciary responsibilities I owe them.
I look at this way: when I'm working with a buyer, I am always looking for the extra edge...something to use in my buyer's advantage when they're thinking about making an offer. A year or so go, my buyers saw a piece of paper on the desk of the seller which showed when that seller needed to be at his new job. Huh. No wonder they reduced the price. They needed to sell. (Made for some fast negotiations!)
I compare it to a lawyer trying to take both sides of a case. Can she truly be effective if she is prosecution and defense? No.
Now that I've said all of that, I'm curious, Active Rain. Do you do dual agency? How do you work both sides? Tell me about it.
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