How is a real estate agent paid?
Most often, real estate agents receive a commission based on the purchase price of the home. This commission varies according to the agent. The seller usually pays an agent’s commission, but this can also be decided as a part of the negotiations.

What is Buyer Broker vs. Seller Agent?
When working with a real estate agent, you need to understand their "agency" relation to you. You want an agent that best represents your interest.

Background . Buyer agency came about in the 1980s as a solution to rising confusion over whom agents work for. Under the conventional system, an agent could work for both a buyer and a seller, which could lead to a conflict of interest. The agent’s obligation was to the person paying their commission, regardless of who contacted the agent first. This meant an agent was not necessarily representing the buyer’s interest in obtaining as low a home price as possible, as well as providing a full selection of properties to choose from.

Buyer Agency . A Buyer's Broker represents the home buyer. They can provide the buyer with information about a home, area, prices, etc. that a seller's agent, by law, cannot and they can also inform the buyer of the bad as well as the good about a property. Since the Buyer's Broker is working for the buyer, he or she does not try to sell a property, but helps in buying one. This makes the home buying process less stressful and intimidating.

When the buyer calls a real estate agent or company off a sign in the yard of a home or an advertisement, or an open house or work with an agent whose company has the property listed, that agent and that company are working for the seller

Seller Agency . A Seller's (or Traditional) Agent represents the seller. They are bound by law to get the seller the best possible price and terms and not divulge any information to the buyer that would be contrary to the seller's best interest. This agent cannot legally negotiate on the buyer's behalf. It is also the duty of the seller's agent to tell the seller any information that you, the buyer, entrust to them. This includes any information that would weaken the buyer's bargaining position.

What is Dual Agency?
As a seller, you should find out about your agency’s policy on "Dual Agency". Dual agency is when an agent in the selling agent’s office brings in a contract on the home. Because both agents are working for the same broker, they cannot p

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