As a client I much Prefer Dual Agency.

1. Smoother deal
2. No Agent Drama
3. More coordinated deal.
4. Much Less chance of the deal falling through.

Yes, almost 50% of my deals and yes I do recommend it. You do realize dual agency can simply mean two agents from the same office are doing adeal together, all the way down to I'm handling both sides of the transaction?

Yes, and it works very well when properly disclosed and agreed upon.

Yes, it's legal in CT, but not in all states. We need disclosures signed by all parties. It can be tricky, but it works and it's great to be on both sides.

Candida Torralvo Dual Agency is legal in my State and when properly disclosed the deals go smoothly.

I've been the dual agent a few times and it worked out VERY well for all of the reasons listed by Bob Crane .  With full disclosure and trust it can easily work with one agent and be split between two in the same office as noted by Thomas J. Nelson, Realtor, CRS for those not comfortable with one agent assisting both. 

I do 60% dual agency.  I treat each clientas I am only on their side.   19+ years and no complaints.

I've had it quite a few times.  LOVE IT!  Want more of it.  It goes so much easier once you have control of both sides of the escrow.  No agents not returning your calls, no having to put "Buyer to give seller full visibility into their transaction/lender process" in the agreement.  SO.  MUCH.  BETTER.  No dealing with agents who don't know their ass from a hole in the ground.

It is not legal in all states. It is in Washington State.  It can be a win/win... or not, depending on the parties involved.   

Dual agency can be a win, win, win for all parties. In Oregon, dual agency must be disclosed, but once this is done, the listing agent can fully represent the buyer as well as the seller.  Who can better show the home to the buyer than the listing agent? Who knows the issues to point out to the buyer better than the listing agent? The agent's fiduciary duty is to both parties, but as realtors we owe honesty  to all regardless in each transaction. We have many times successfully represented both buyer and seller in real estate transactions.

Dual agency is legal in California when it is properly disclosed.  In California, dual agency is defined when the buyer and seller are represented by the same brokerage even if it is not the same agent.   Since I work with a large brokerage with multiple area offices, I have encountered this situation many times.   

As far as recommending -- that's not really the issue -- it just is(or isn't) and I like to have this discussion in my first meeting with a new client.  It needs to be disclosed to both the buyer and the seller.   There is a form that is acknowledged by all parties.   

Each state will have its own rules and procedures. 

We do not have dula agency in Oklahoma any more. The difficulty is in the explanation. What I have always told clients regardelss of representation is that it doesn't matter what you call it, we work for fairness in the transactions with no losers. I started in the era of subagency saying this.

We do not practice "single agent dual agency"

We can not act as a dual agent in Texas.  If the brokerage is going to represent both parties must do so as an Intermediary which carries it's own specific rules.

Not often.

Dual agency is commonplace around here.  I'm just careful when it happens

Follow the rules in your state.

Dual agency is known as multiple representation in Ontario.  It is at the brokerage level, not the agent level.  It is a common situation.

Candida Torralvo - I have practiced dual agency several times - and it went well all the time - except once.

On average twice a year, if you follow the rules they work.

In Maryland, it's illegal for one agent to represent both buyer and seller in a transaction, and in DC, most of us are smart enough not to get greedy.  My personal feeling is that dual agency is a conflict of interest, and for new agents especially, it's a lawsuit waiting to happen.

      Dual Agency was legal in Florida some years ago. I never used it.

     Today, Florida Law permits "Transaction Brokerage", which is eerily similar to dual agency.   The Buyer or Seller does NOT get full confidentiality with Transaction Brokerage (see the Statutory Disclosure for specifics).

I do not do dual agency. I have acted as a transaction broker for both the  buyer and seller and it went just fine.

Yes. Many times. Although legal in CA. I avoid it. 

See Olga Simoncelli comment.

Colorado removed dual agency years ago.

No, I avoid any dual agency situations.

It is legal here in AZ but agents must follow the stringent rules which many simply don't understand. On occasion I will do a dual agency if I know the parties and it feels right. And yes I do know when things just don't seem right and then I'll suggest they get their own representation.

It is fairly rare, and should be avoided in most cases.

I'm in a personal dual agency situation maybe once every 15-18 months. I don't essentially like it as I consider it can be a conflict of interest. Fortunately, to-date when I've been a dual agent they were easy transactions and all parties were happy. As for being a dual agent because two agents from my company are involved, no difference to me than co-broking with another firm.

Is the group that comes together able to be led by a competent agent? I answer that at that time. In theory yes. In application, must be tested first

In Florida they call it a "transaction broker", arguably close to dual agency!

I have been a dual agent a few times in Arizona. I just do the job.

In Florida the agency laws are such that many agents work with both the buyer and the seller. I did it often and it was fine. I have never done dual agency in Virginia.

we are listing agents and we always represent the seller....we will represent our seller as a buyer's agent when they buy locally.... the bottom line is "pick a side and stay there"....everyone deserves representation....provide it for one side.

Chapter 1, Agency.

The only win-win in dual agency is for the agent that makes double the commission.

If dual agency were viable, every courtroom would have one attorney and two desks...one for each side.  There is a reason that attorneys do not represent both sides of a transaction...because it is a blatent conflict of interest.

Don't kid yourself, in real estate both parties have opposing interests.  Sellers wants the highest price and to fix nothing.  Buyer wants the lowest price and everything fixed. 

No way someone in the middle can do both... 

Eve

PS: ask yourself...would you rather have an agent that works solely in your best interest?  Or one that is talking out both sides?