Say you see a home you like and would like to take a look inside. You pick up the phone and call. A Realtor answers. She says she would be happy to come out and show you the home. You’re happy, looking forward to it.

Great, right? Wrong. Just who did you make an appointment with? Was it the person who has listed the home for sale? Or her assistant? Or a third Realtor who will represent you in the purchase?

The question, “Are you working with another agent?” should not be limited to the Realtor making the appointment alone. You should know if you are working with the seller’s agent, an assistant, or someone who will represent your interest in the home – a buyer’s agent.

What’s the difference? Without a buyer’s agent, you are in a dual agency. A dual agency means you are almost always without representation. The agent has been hired by the seller first. While dual agency is not illegal in California, it can create a difficult situation when the buyer wants certain things done and the seller is unwilling. The purpose of the buyer’s agent is to insist that important repairs get done or escrow is canceled. A dual agent is required only to communicate needs and messages across the buyer and seller.

I would love to pick up the phone to make an appointment with a client and have the client ask me if I have listed the home or I would be there essentially to represent him in the purchase!

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