What is “dual agency” and should I avoid an agent acting as a dual agent?
Dual agency refers to a real estate agent representing both the buyer and the seller in a single transaction. If you are working with an agent you trust, stick with that agent. If he shows you his or her own listings as well as other people’s listings, he or she is working with your best interest in mind. Occasionally, unscrupulous listing agents will try to convince you to not bring in your outside agent, even if you are already working with an outside agen. This unscrupulous agent tries to convince you that you will save money if you allow him to represent both you and the seller. The unscrupulous agent is acting unethically and possibly illegally. He does not have your best interest at heart. He is attempting to fool you so he can collect a full commission (called double-ending in the real estate business). If an agent double ends a transaction, he or she earns both the listing agents commission and the selling agents commission. In this scenario, run, do not walk, to the agent you
