Can my agent work for me and the buyer?

Short answer: yes, it’s legal in many states — but it’s one of the trickiest situations in real estate. Dual agency sounds “fair and equal,” but in reality, it limits what your agent can do for both sides. And you’re right to question whether anyone can truly represent two parties with opposite goals. ⚖️ 1. Dual agency means your agent can’t fully advocate for you When one agent represents both sides, they must become “neutral.” That means they cannot: - Tell you the buyer’s max price - Tell the buyer your bottom line - Advise you on negotiation strategy - Push for the highest price - Push for the best terms - Give either side a competitive advantage You lose the very thing you hired an agent for — strong representation. 💰 2. The agent gets paid twice — that’s why they like dual agency Let’s be honest: Dual agency means one agent gets the full commission. That’s why some agents push for it. It doesn’t automatically mean they’ll harm you, but it does mean their financial incentive is different from yours. 🧠 3. Your instincts are right — your goals and the buyer’s goals conflict You want: - The highest price - The best terms - The strongest protections The buyer wants the opposite. One person cannot “equally” fight for both sides. It’s impossible. 🛑 4. You can say no — you don’t have to allow dual agency You have options: - Require the buyer to work with another agent - Ask your brokerage to assign a different agent to the buyer - Keep your agent representing only you - Decline dual agency entirely You are not obligated to accept it just because the agent brought the buyer. 📉 5. The risk: you get pushed into a deal that benefits the agent more than you When an agent represents both sides, the temptation is to: - Push the deal through - Avoid negotiation - Avoid conflict - Keep both sides “happy” - Close quickly That can mean you give up more than you should. 🤝 6. Work with an informed Realtor who protects your leverage A knowledgeable agent — someone who understands negotiation, fiduciary duty, and seller protection — will explain dual agency honestly and give you options that keep your interests first. This is exactly where having an experienced Realtor like me becomes a major advantage. 🎯 Bottom line Dual agency is legal, but it’s not always in your best interest. You deserve full representation, full advocacy, and full negotiation power — not a neutral referee.

This is called dual representation (sometimes referred to as dual agency, depending on the state), and your concern is completely valid. When one agent represents both the buyer and the seller, they have to stay neutral and can’t fully advocate for either side the way they normally would, especially when it comes to pricing, negotiation strategy, or pushing terms. In general, it’s usually better for the buyer and seller to have separate representation so each side has someone fully in their corner. A buyer coming through your listing agent can sometimes be an advantage, but if that agent already has a relationship with the buyer, it can create potential conflicts. You always have the option to decline dual representation and request that the buyer work with a different agent or have another agent step in. The goal is making sure you feel protected and not pressured during the process.

Hello! \"Dual\" agency varies state to state. Realistically, even if your agent writes an offer for a buyer their fiduciary duty is still to you. In no case should they ever be negotiating against you. This is a conversation they would have had with the buyer specifically and the dual agency talk should have happened prior to signing a listing agreement, just to inform you what it is and how it works. I personally am used as a dual agent very frequently because my clients trust me and are comfortable with how the terms of the deal would play out. Each deal is different and it will ultimately boil down to how much negotiating you believe will take place throughout the deal between price and terms. Look at all the options in front of you and see how you feel it will play out; your agent should be able to articulate what the path to closing would look like. Transparency is key with these situations. Hope this helps!