TYPES OF
AGENCY REPRESENTATION
SELLER'S AGENT
A
seller can engage the services of a real estate agent to sell his property
(called the listing agent) and the real estate agent is then the agent for the
seller who becomes the agent's client. This means that the real estate agent
represents the seller. The agent owes the seller undivided loyalty, reasonable
care, disclosure, obedience to lawful instruction, confidentiality and
accountability, provided, however, that the agent must disclose known material
defects in the real estate. The agent must put the seller's interests first
and negotiate for the best price and terms for their client, the seller. (The
seller may authorize sub-agents to represent him/her in marketing its property
to buyers, however the seller should be aware that wrongful action by the real
estate agent or sub-agents may subject the seller to legal liability for those
wrongful actions).
BUYER'S AGENT
A buyer
can engage the services of a real estate agent to purchase property and the
real estate agent is then the agent for the buyer who becomes the agent's
client. This means that the real estate agent represents the buyer. The agent
owes the buyer undivided loyalty, reasonable care, disclosure, obedience to
lawful instruction, confidentiality and accountability, provided, however,
that the agent must disclose known material defects in the real estate. The
agent must put the buyer's interests first and negotiate for the best price
and terms for their client, the buyer. (The buyer may also authorize
sub-agents to represent him/her in purchasing property, however the buyer
should be aware that wrongful action by the real estate agent or sub-agents
may subject the buyer to legal liability for those wrongful actions).
(NON-AGENT) FACILITATOR
When a
real estate agent works as a facilitator that agent assists the seller and
buyer in reaching an agreement but does not represent either the seller or
buyer in the transaction. The facilitator and the broker with whom the
facilitator is affiliated owe the seller and buyer a duty to present each
property honestly and accurately by disclosing known material defects about
the property and owe a duty to account for funds. Unless otherwise agreed, the
facilitator has no duty to keep information received from a seller or buyer
confidential. The role of facilitator applies only to the seller and buyer in
the particular property transaction involving the seller and buyer. Should the
seller and buyer expressly agree a facilitator relationship can be changed to
become an exclusive agency relationship with either the seller or the buyer.
DESIGNATED SELLER'S AND
BUYER'S AGENT
A real
estate agent can be designated by another real estate agent (the appointing or
designating agent) to represent either the buyer or seller, provided the buyer
or seller expressly agrees to such designation. The real estate agent once so
designated is then the agent for either the buyer or seller who becomes their
client. The designated agent owes the buyer or seller undivided loyalty,
reasonable care, disclosure, obedience to lawful instruction, confidentiality
and accountability, provided, however, that the agent must disclose known
material defects in the real estate. The agent must put their client's
interests first and negotiate for the best price and terms for their client.
In situations where the appointing agent designates another agent to represent
the seller and an agent to represent the buyer then the appointing agent
becomes a dual agent. Consequently a dual agent cannot satisfy fully the
duties of loyalty, full disclosure, obedience to lawful instructions which is
required of an exclusive seller or buyer agent. The dual agent does not
represent either the buyer or the seller solely only your designated agent
represents your interests. The written consent for designated agency must
contain the information provided for in the regulations of the Massachusetts
Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespeople (Board). A sample
designated agency consent is available at the Board's website at
www.mass.gov/dpl/re.
DUAL AGENT
A real
estate agent may act as a dual agent representing both the seller and buyer in
a transaction but only with the express and informed consent of both the
seller and buyer. Written consent to dual agency must be obtained by the real
estate agent prior to the execution of an offer to purchase a specific
property. A dual agent shall be neutral with regard to any conflicting
interest of the seller and buyer. Consequently a dual agent cannot satisfy
fully the duties of loyalty, full disclosure, obedience to lawful instructions
which is required of an exclusive seller or buyer agent. A dual agent does,
however, still owe a duty of confidentiality of material information and
accounting for funds. The written consent for dual agency must contain the
information provided for in the regulations of the Massachusetts Board of
Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespeople (Board). A sample dual
agency consent is available at the Board's website at
www.mass.gov/dpl/re.
HOME