Are You Working with an Agent?

When looking to find more information on a home, it is important to disclose certain info the the offices and people you speak with while on the hunt. “Are you working with an agent?” This is something an office or agent will want to know before trying to help you do your research to avoid stepping on toes or upsetting your Agent! If you call the listing agent of a home to show you the home, the first thing the agent should ask you is whether you are working with another agent.

Here are examples of the best way to answer that question:

• Yes, we are working with an agent
• No, we do not have an agent. Would you consider representing us?

Agents ask the question to establish an agency relationship. If you have an agent the listing agent should back off, and you should be asking your buyer’s agent to show you the home.

Agents are not public servants and do not work for free. Do not ask any agent to work for you if you intend to cut the agent out of your deal. Just because your own agent is ‘busy’ or ‘out of town’, is no reason to be untruthful to another agent just so you can go see a home right now.

When working with an agent, keep appointments and be on time, Be respectful, use common courtesy and don’t expect an agent to drop what they are doing to run out to show you a home. You are probably not that agent’s only prospect/client. And if you are, that is not a good sign.

Do not make an appointment with an agent and then forget to show up. If you are going to be late, call or text your agent to let them know when you expect to arrive.

Do not call the listing agent if you are working with a buying agent. Listing agents work for the seller, not the buyer. If you hire the listing agent to represent you, that agent will now be working under dual agency.

If listing agents show you the property, the listing agent will expect to represent you. Listing agents do not want to do the buying agents job. Let your buyer’s agent do their own job.

We hope this shows you a little more about the procedures and roles an agents plays as either a buyer’s, or seller’s agent!