Important Agency Considerations
Protecting Your Right to Independent Representation.
You should be aware that if your want to preserve your right to independent representation you should avoid contact with builder’s representatives or listings agents. It is critical that you involve a real estate professional in your home search early on. You need to keep your real estate professional involved in all aspects of your home search. Failure to do so may result in your preferred real estate agent being unable to represent you in the transaction or may require you to pay an additional fee beyond the co-broke fee in order to have representation.
Why?
Procuring Cause. It is a confusing term meaning that whoever introduces a buyer to the property he or she decides to buy is entitled to compensation for the sale. For example, if you were to find the home you want to buy while attending an open house hosted by the listing agent, and you were not previously involved with or introduced to the listing by another agent, the listing agent of the home could be entitled to both the listing and selling side commission, to be paid by the seller. You would only be able to have independent representation in this case if you chose to pay a buyer’s agent his or her additional fee for representing you.
You need to understand that the commission is paid out of the transaction and there is no out of pocket expense to you unless the buyer representation agreement you sign specifies a commission that is higher than the co-broke commission offered by the listing broker. In most cases, the buyer broker commission is the same as the co-broke fee. In a co-broking situation a portion of the commission will remain with the firm that has the home listed and a portion will be shared with the agent and firm you chose select to work with. It’s O.K. to do some of the legwork in your home search but it is always best to involve your real estate professional in the process. Here are some steps to follow:
- Establish an agency relationship with your preferred real estate professional early in the home-finding process.
- Always have your sales professional arrange showings for you and make sure they are there during your visit. Never make an appointment to view a home alone with the listing agent.
- If you attend an open house be sure to tell the listing agent that you are working with another real estate agent and give them a card or their name and contact information.
- If you should call a listing agent or agency have the courtesy to tell them you are already working with another agent. Better yet have the agent you are working call the listing agent to avoid any confusion or potential conflict over a home you may want to buy.
Choosing Your Type of Representation
The following in information provided by the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission to help consumers make an informed decision about agency representation:
Are you a customer or client?
When you choose to work with a real estate licensee he or she may or may not be “your” agent. An agent owes certain duties to a client, but has a different obligation to a customer. It is important to know whether you are a customer or client in a real estate transaction. Do not assume that a licensee is acting on your behalf unless you sign a contract for representation.
Who is a Customer?
A customer is one who seeks to sell, exchange, purchase, rent or lease real estate, but has not hired the real estate licensee to represent them.
As a customer, you cannot expect the licensee to act as your agent or advocate on your behalf. A real estate licensee can, however, provide valuable market information and services to assist you as a customer. A licensee is also obligated by law to treat customers honestly, to disclose material defects actually known by the licensee pertaining to the on-site physical condition of the real estate, and to promptly present all offers and counter offers.
A licensee working “with” a customer may perform ministerial administrative acts, which include showing property, preparing and presenting offers and agreement, and providing information and assistance concerning the transaction.
Who is a Client?
A client is a person who establishes an agency relationship with a licensee through a written contract and agrees to be represented by the agent in the real estate transaction. This contract must clearly establish the terms and obligations of both the client and the licensee/firm who becomes the agent.
As a client, in addition to the customer-level services listed above, you can expect the following client-level services:
- Advocacy
- Care, Skill and Diligence
- Advice
- Confidentiality
- Loyalty
- Lawful Obedience
- Promotion of client’s best interest
Who in an Agent?
An agent is a licensee with the fiduciary obligation to provide services through a written contract for a seller, landlord, buyer, or tenant and is bound by the duties of loyalty, lawful obedience, disclosure, confidentiality, reasonable care, diligence, and accounting.
The written agency contract is with the firm and not with the individual agent. The seller/landlord and/or the buyer/tenant may be liable for the actions of the agent and any sub-agents when these actions occur within the scope of the agency relationship.
What types of Agency Relationships are commonly practiced in New Hampshire?
Seller Agency
A seller agent is a licensee who acts on behalf of a seller or landlord in the sale, exchange, rental, or lease of real estate. The seller is the licensees’ client and the licensee has the duty to represent the seller’s best interest in the real estate transaction.
Buyer Agency
A buyer agent is a licensee who acts on behalf of a buyer or tenant in the purchase, exchange, rental or lease of real estate. The buyer is the licensee’s client and the licensee has the duty to represent the buyer’s best interests in the real estate transaction.
Non-Agency
A licensee acting in a Non-Agency capacity shall perform only acts of an administrative nature (ministerial acts) which include showing property, preparing and presenting offers or agreements, providing information and assistance concerning the transaction. This relationship may change to an agency relationship by entering into a written contract for representation.
If another relationship between the licensee who performs the services and the seller, landlord, buyer, tenant is intended, it must be described in writing and signed by all parties to the relationship prior to services being rendered.
Disclosed Duel Agency
A disclosed dual agent is a licensee acting for both the seller/landlord and the buyer/tenant in the same transaction with the knowledge and written consent of all parties. The licensee cannot advocate on behalf of one client over another. Because the full range of duties cannot be delivered to both parties, all clients in the transaction must give written informed consent. A Dual Agent may not reveal confidential information without consent such as:
- Willingness of a seller to accept less than the asking price.
- Willingness of the buyer to pay more than what has been offered.
- Confidential negotiating strategy not disclosed in the sales contract as terms of the sale.
- Motivation of the seller for selling nor the motivation of the buyer for buying.
Single Agency
Single agency is a practice where the firm represents only one client in the transaction (the buyer or the seller).
Sub-Agency
A sub-agent is a licensee who works for one firm, but is engaged by the principal broker of another firm to perform agency functions on behalf of the principal broker’s client. A sub-agent does not have an agency relationship with the customer.
(Coldwell Banker Dinsmore Associates does not offer sub-agency to other brokers nor do they practice sub-agency with customers. For this reason, they do no co-broke with Massachusetts’s agents unless they are licensed in New Hampshire and unless their firm is also licensed in New Hampshire. This protects both their seller clients and potential buyer customers and clients by only having licensees who are governed by the rules and regulations of New Hampshire licensing law as part of the transaction.)
Further information about agency can be found online at the New Hampshire Real estate Commission’s web site. You can also check here whether an agent is licensed in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Real Estate Commission
A real estate professional at Coldwell Banker Dinsmore Associates, REALTORS® will explain all of the various representation options to you in full detail. If you have further questions
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