What should I prepare if my agent has a property listed for sale?

Question

After asking a real estate agent to help searching for a house for a month, the agent informs that she will have a property listed for sale in weeks. Should I buy the house from the listing agent who is also my agent? If so, what should I prepare for? Thank you for your advice?

Gregory Schwartz · Answer

As you can imagine... it depends. It's likely perfectly legal (I'm not in Alabama so a little unsure in your state) and generally common for an agent to represent both sides through dual agency or intermediary/transaction facilitator structure.

Are you a strong negotiator?
- becuase your likely not getting the full force of your agent's negotiating skills

Is this 'deal' being presented to you before being listed live on the MLS?
- This could be an advantage to you and make it worthwhile

Do you feel that this agent can honestly represent you and the seller while keeping both of your best interests at heart?
- your agent should be working for YOU and your best interest not you and some other person with fundamentally conflicting best interests

I will tell you this, as an investor/agent, I will only, on very rare occasions, represent a seller and the buyer. 99% of the time, I hand the buyer off to another agent in my office who is as skilled as I am.

This generally doesn’t apply to very seasoned investors, who often have more experience and skill than their agents. In their case, sometimes it's easier to have one agent work with the seller and buyer.

What should I prepare if my agent has a property listed for sale?

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