Comments on: The Age Old Dual Agency in Real Estate Debate

By: Green Tree Realty

Green Tree Realty — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:18:43 +0000

The Age Old Dual Agency in Real Estate Debate http://t.co/eNKji71 via @AgentGenius

By: ryan

ryan — Thu, 26 May 2011 17:40:51 +0000

test. Wondering how this works.

By: David North

David North — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:45:46 +0000

Dual agents offer a different service than I do. That doesn’t make them worse people or worse real estate brokers than me, it only distinguishes the quality of representation offered by them vs. by me. Note that I didn’t say it distinguishes the quality of service offered. A dual agent can offer a very high quality of service, while offering a reduced quality of representation. For some clients, benefits offered by the dual agent in exchange for the lower quality of representation may make for a good tradeoff, provided that the client is fully informed. My high quality service includes high quality representation, and a dual agent may offer high quality service that includes low quality representation, but something else that I cannot or choose not to offer. That’s why capitalism and free markets are wonderful. There are always choices because the same formula doesn’t fit every prospect.

There are reasons why I am no dual agent, and here are a couple of them. I’ll admit, they’re basically selfish:

I close more deal sides with clients gained by telling them up front that I am no dual agent under any circumstances, than I walk away from by practicing my no dual agent policy.

My job satisfaction, and a higher than usual referral rate, come from far exceeding clients’ expectations. I reject the notion that a fair deal is in the middle between what the buyer and seller want. For my clients, a fair deal is one in which my client gets all or very nearly all of what they want, and the counter-party gets enough of what they want to close the deal. It’s not inherently adversarial, but it’s well-negotiated, usually to the advantage of my client. It almost never ends up in the middle, not just in terms of price, but in terms of timelines, risks, and all other terms and conditions. It makes me sleep easy at night, and as a bonus, I get lots of referrals. Dual agents can never average anything other than 50-50 compromises. Any time they do better for one client, they automatically do worse for another client. That is satisfying for some, but not me.

By: AgentGenius

AgentGenius — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:31:34 +0000

#agnow Interesting post. Dual agents encounter the issue of being unethical. Agents provide consumers with a servic... http://bit.ly/bt9Baf

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:15:07 +0000

Interesting post. Dual agents encounter the issue of being unethical. Agents provide consumers with a service and to play both sides of the fence is questionable at best. Not only is it unethical but it cost someone there job and more. Thank you for posting this. Great information. I wasn’t aware it was allowed at all.

By: AgentGenius

AgentGenius — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 07:09:37 +0000

#agnow RAY--got you. Thanks. I look forward to reading the book. This dialog is fascinating. You can find me at ... http://bit.ly/bt9Baf

By: AgentGenius

AgentGenius — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 06:50:06 +0000

#agnow The email address of the business manager of CognaBooks DOTcom, Eleanor Proctor is now a link on the website... http://bit.ly/bt9Baf

By: AgentGenius

AgentGenius — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 03:35:27 +0000

#agnow RAY--Did you see my message above? Would love to read your book... http://bit.ly/bt9Baf

By: AgentGenius

AgentGenius — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 03:31:43 +0000

#agnow Will Kelley showed us this excerpt from the Pennsylvania Consumer notice: "Dual agency is a relationship ... http://bit.ly/bt9Baf

By: Ray Wilson

Ray Wilson — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 02:17:49 +0000

Jeffrey,

Just send your mailing address to Eleanor Proctor — the Business Manager at CognaBooks. You’ll find her email address on the companys DOTcom site. She’ll mail you a freebee.