Real Estate Buyer's Agent

Recently I spoke with a very knowledgeable buyer. They wondered if a real estate agent who has a home listed for sale can also work as a buyers agent on the same property. Can a REALTOR® be a dual agent representing both the seller and the buyer. The answer in the majority of states, including Texas, is that it is legal to be a dual agent, provided the necessary disclosures are made in writing.

While dual agency is legal, it is not financially wise.

Think about what a listing agent does for their seller. They work with a seller for many months to list and market a home, with untold hours of paperwork, planning, composing ads, posting listings, interacting with the seller numerous times and having phone calls regularly, emailing and talking with prospective buyers, investing numerous hours behind the scenes, reassuring the seller and developing an emotional bond, and who has committed their best efforts to obtain the highest price from any buyer.

At this point imagine a buyer who comes to town and calls the listing agent to drive them around and look at homes for one day. How can we seriously suggest this agent can reasonably represent both the buyer and seller without prejudice? The reason given is: Its legal, all you have to do is conform to the law and provide full disclosure about not being able to provide advice to either party, be fair, and disclose material facts.

Buyers want to be completely sure that their real estate agent works for them, and only for them. Buyers want to know that their agent is faithful to them with no conflict. Buyers want an agent who will fight for them, negotiate for them, and watch out for their best interests in every detail and every contingency all the way to closing and beyond.

If the REALTORS® role is to negotiate for you, how can they get the best price on the home if their real duty is to get the highest price for the seller? At Voss Realty, we're not just San Antonio REALTORS®; we are Accredited Buyer's Representatives (ABR®). This means we represent the buyer's best interests and work solely for you, the buyer. The best part is that it does not cost you a penny to have us represent you with your real estate purchase in San Antonio, or any of the surrounding areas. We also have listings! And yes, we represent only our sellers with the sell of their homes. We believe in full representation of our clients, and because of this, we will NEVER work both sides of a transaction. Ask us about representation, we are happy to explain your rights in a Texas Real Estate transaction. Think about it. If you were getting divorced, would you use your spouse’s attorney?

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