Hi Margaret... I'm only for "double-ending" it if the agent who is listing is not primarily a buyer's agent and the agent needs to be familiar with both where the home is selling and where the sellers want to buy.

It's all about the quality of service and representation an agent can give, Margaret Goss.  As you point out, an honest assessment must be conducted by both client and agent to reap the correct answer to your question ...  

Gene

When some one is double ending a transaction it has been my experience that if everything is disclosed to the buyers and sellers, and the agent is extremely familiar with the areas where the sale and purchase are taking place it can actually streamline everything and provide a very pleasant expereince for the parties involved.

If the agent is the listing agent for the sale of a home and the buyers agent for the sellers selling the home, it is the agent's responsibility to make sure that they are familiar with the area that their clients' are purchasing in. If that is not the case I would recommend that the clients' be referred to an in area agent that can provide them with the quality service that is deserved. 

Margaret- your answer is spot on.  Even with a good working relationship with your clients, you probably would not be the best agent to represent them in an area you were not familiar with. 

Great post, Margaret...I have to agree with you. If your buyers are selling and moving in the same area, it's best they work with the same agent. That agent knows them and their needs. Outside of the area...it's best to let your agent find you another agent to work with. 

I often wonder why sellers sometimes don't use the person who sold their home to buy, or rent their new one. I think it may be because they are under the impression that that agent only sells homes. You are right, they should use the same agent in area but not one the agent is not familiar with.  However asking for a referral is a good way to go.

Good evening Margaret Goss ,  It's a benefit to everyone involved.  The client gets someone experienced in that area, you get a referral fee and able to save gas and the new agents gets a client. It's a Win, Win, Win!

We have two situations here that we deal with - those moving from the southern portion of the metro to the center city and those downsizing either to the lake or 55+ communities.  Those moving from the southern tip, I will double-end all day - as I have made that same exact move so, I know both areas well.  Those moving to the 55+ communities, if they are in my area, absolutely; if not, someone gets a great referral!  If they're moving to the lake, it depends upon which lake - one of them, I have a fantastic referral agent who I GLADLY refer to and the other one, I also lived there so, I know it well also!  

As you said, it just depends on the area in which they are moving.  I'm very protective of my clients so, the referral is absolutely imperative if I don't feel totally comfortable with the area in which they are moving!

I agree on every level Margaret Goss , if you are not intimate with the market don't try to pretend a relationship. It will cost someone.

Margaret

You raised an excellent point. It really depends on the locations and you;re ability to do the best job possible. It's flattering to be asked to help on both side but it has to be in the client's best interest!

Jeff

Margaret, as you respond to Debe Maxwell /#8,  some situations are much better served if you have a reliable referral partner.  That also allows an easy conversation so your clients know all bases are covered the best way possible.

We recently had an out of our local market buyer's agent bring an offer on a listing we had. We'd listed a little higher than we really wanted at the seller's insistance and were just a few days away from a price reduction we'd discussed prior to signing the listing for the contingency we had no offer in 6 weeks.  Ummm, yeah, an offer came in higher than list.  Our seller accepted. We explained at the time it still had to appraise.  The appraisal was close, but not above list.  It was however still over the new recommened list price.  Our seller got a gift.

Margaret Goss Great post!  As agents, we can only really, truly, know so much.  I have seen agents travel 1.5 hours to make a sale.  But, it's when you're in the trenches that you know the area well.