The best real estate agent in California is here with a complete guide on Dual agency. It is a process in which the real estate agent is engaged in both seller and buyer transactions. Dual agency can also happen for sale and purchase of property representing both the landlord and the tenant. On the other hand, a single agency is when the real estate agent is dealing with one party. In this comparison, we prefer single agency because it allows an agent to deal with one party without any conflict.
How Does Dual Agency Work?
Here is the answer to how dual agency works. When you hire a realtor, you have the option to decide whether you would like to work with dual agent.
However, some states do not allow dual agency and this is due to the agent-client relationship. Somehow in case dual agency was allowed, you would have to go through some documentation which would have been not easy to clear.
A dual agency is illegal or restricted in these states:
- Alaska
- Colorado
- Florida
- Kansas
- Vermont
- Wyoming
- Texas
- Oklahoma
In these states, agents are not even allowed to disclose such a dual agency process with the permission of both parties. This happens when both parties are out of conflict, and an agent is considered between these two parties for the handling of paperwork.
Advantages & Disadvantages
To limit the possibility of undocumented dual agency, you should ask your real estate agent as soon as possible whether they will work for you as an agent or they will work as dual agent.
In case you consider dual agency, these are the advantages and disadvantages of dual agency.
Advantages
- Economical: The seller mostly gets benefits from the dual agency as they have to pay to a single agent instead of paying both agents’ commissions. So, the seller is the one saving money in a dual agency. However, it’s not that seller is the one who benefits from this. Buyer also gets the benefits when the seller’s cost are less.
- More know-how of the property: From a consumer’s or tenant’s perspective, using a seller’s agent may provide more information on the stats of the home.
- Faster communication: When one agent represents both transactions of the seller and buyer, there may be less waiting in price negotiations or getting the solution to a question.
Disadvantages
- Conflict of interest: This is the biggest disadvantage of dual agency and the cause of why some states won’t allow it. Human nature and financial matters could make it difficult for an agent to be neutral whilst representing both the seller and buyer.
- Tricky negotiations: An agent who represents parties with different interests cannot benefit from parties. If a dual agent suggests the buyer demand to lower the cost of the property, the agent is working against the seller’s interest. Similarly, if the dual agent tells the seller not to accept the offer of the buyer, then the agent is against the buyer’s interest.
- Both parties have to safeguard their interest: In dual agency, an agent cannot fulfill both parties’ goals as this is not possible. So, a dual agent is only present in between to facilitate the transactions.
Conclusion
Dual agency is the process in which a real estate agent works with both the seller and buyer for the same property. A dual agent can work with both parties once they both agree to work together and understand the outcomes. However, the dual agency has advantages and disadvantages of its own. So, it is the choice of the client whether they choose a single agent or dual agent. In case you are looking to sell and purchasing of properties, you can contact the best real estate agent, like Izabella Lipetski, to professionally handle your paperwork.
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