When a real estate brokerage serves both the buyer and the seller, what can go wrong? The seller’s agent, who must get the best price for the seller, is the same company that must get the best price for the buyer. Legally and structurally, companies are run by a broker. This person is responsible for supervising every transaction and overseeing the agents.
Since most agents work for buyers and sellers, the company supervises both sides of the transaction. How can they serve the financial interests of two parties with opposite financial goals?
What are the dangers of dual agency?
Having the same broker or brokerage on opposite sides of negotiations can seem like an ethical quagmire. But New York state requires brokers to obtain clients’ written acknowledgment that “they understand they are giving up their right to the agent’s undivided loyalty.” From the buyer/tenant perspective, the inherent risk in a dual agency is a potential imbalance. The brokerage may or may not act in a client’s best interests because it has another client on the same deal.
In 2006, Massachusetts real estate licensing law changed so brokerages could represent both buyers and sellers in the same transaction. It is called “Designated Agency” in Massachusetts. If you want to avoid this conflict of interest and get a higher price for your property, you need to seek out a company that specializes in serving buyers and does not list property themselves.
When prospective buyers meet with a buyer’s agent from a dual agency brokerage, they sign a disclosure saying that the “designated agent” represents the buyer, but someone else in the office could represent the seller.
Exclusive Buyer’s Agents are not “designated agents” because we do not practice dual agency within our brokerage.
A recent California case went against a dual agency and through appeal. Will that affect designated agency in Massachusetts? Unlikely. The National Association of REALTORS® has a huge lobby and an army of lawyers.
Designated agencies work for the big companies. It just doesn’t work for us.
Why does the California case matter?
The Golden State’s court decision in Horiike v. Coldwell Banker could set a precedent for how dual agency is handled there. In this case, two different brokers from Coldwell Banker – Chizuko Namba and Chris Cortazzo – represented the buyer and seller of a Malibu mansion in 2007. In November, the California Supreme Court unanimously upheld an appeals court ruling that found the seller’s agent owed the same fiduciary duty to the buyer since he too worked for Coldwell Banker. Some industry insiders fear the ruling could change what information sell-side brokers must disclose to both parties. The California Association of Realtors argued that restricting dual-agency transactions could hurt buyers if brokers actively avoid showing them listings held by their brokerage.
What can you do?
The court is saying that dual agency is a problem for consumers. Still, clearly, the REALTORS® are going to fight this because big companies benefit. So, as a consumer, what can you do? If you are concerned about conflicts of interest within a real estate brokerage, choose a brokerage that doesn’t practice dual/designated agency. The way to find them is to look for the terms “exclusive buyer’s agent” or “true buyer’s agent” or “low conflict of interest brokerage.” NAEBA has agents in many parts of the country and can help you find an exclusive buyer’s agent.
Why we don’t practice designated agency.
Our agents work cooperatively. We can do this because no one in our office is trying to get the best deal for a seller. Our focus can stay on what is working for buyers in the current market. We don’t have agents who negotiate against one another, such as buyer agent vs. seller agent.
Not every market has exclusive buyer’s agents. Why? Because working on both sides (buyers and sellers) is more lucrative. Brokers who choose to be exclusive buyers agents choose it so they can be as conflict-free as possible. Focusing on buyers helps us be able to share and learn with our colleagues. It works for us. I think it works for our clients.
Friends don’t let friends hire dual/designated agents.
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Choose an Exclusive Buyer Agent to help you find the perfect home. Find an agent here.
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