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Does the buyer’s agent have to disclose if they know the listing agent?
Does the buyer’s agent have to disclose if they know the listing agent as their ex in-laws? The husband in the team that represented us was the listing agent’s ex brother in law. Conflict of interests? Enough to void the contract?
Asked By Alison H. | Anderson, SC | 11 views | Buying | 1 week ago
Answer(1)
Jason Craig
Coldwell Banker
Alison, great question — and one that comes up more often than you might think. In South Carolina, an agent is required to disclose any relationships that could reasonably influence their judgment or create a conflict of interest.
If the buyer’s agent and the listing agent are related (even by marriage or prior family ties like former in-laws), it doesn’t automatically void a contract — but it should have been disclosed. The purpose of disclosure is transparency, so you as the buyer can make an informed decision about whether you’re comfortable proceeding.
If you feel the relationship may have affected how your agent represented your interests — for example, in negotiations or advice — it’s worth discussing your concerns with the broker-in-charge at the agent’s firm. They can review whether proper disclosure was made and what remedies, if any, might apply.
That said, unless you can prove that the lack of disclosure materially harmed you or affected the outcome, it likely wouldn’t void the contract by itself.
Transparency builds trust, and you have every right to ask for clarification in writing from both agents involved.
If the buyer’s agent and the listing agent are related (even by marriage or prior family ties like former in-laws), it doesn’t automatically void a contract — but it should have been disclosed. The purpose of disclosure is transparency, so you as the buyer can make an informed decision about whether you’re comfortable proceeding.
If you feel the relationship may have affected how your agent represented your interests — for example, in negotiations or advice — it’s worth discussing your concerns with the broker-in-charge at the agent’s firm. They can review whether proper disclosure was made and what remedies, if any, might apply.
That said, unless you can prove that the lack of disclosure materially harmed you or affected the outcome, it likely wouldn’t void the contract by itself.
Transparency builds trust, and you have every right to ask for clarification in writing from both agents involved.
- 5 hours ago
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