What the Press has to say about dual agents versus exclusive buyer's agents:

Detroit Free Press:

Buyers and sellers get less service in a deal with dual agents because they no longer have someone bargaining on their behalf, but the brokerage reaps a higher profit because it keeps the whole commission.

Alan Fields from the book he co-authored "Your New House":

"Consumers should be aware that any buyer's agent agreement that includes a dual agency possibility (representing both the buyer and seller) is not acceptable."

U. S. News and World Report:

"Exclusive agencies are the best. They remove any conflict of interest, which is the main reason for considering a Buyer Broker in the first place."

Kiplingers Personal Finance Magazine:

You'll get the surest representation from a single-agency broker or an Exclusive Buyer's Broker."

Dan Birchman, Texas Real Estate Expert:

You have a choice of working with a traditional Realtor who spends 90% of their time soliciting listings and representing sellers. Or choosing an Exclusive Buyer's Broker, who spends 100% of the time helping the home buyer get the best house possible. Make sure you choose an Exclusive Buyer's Broker. There is a difference.

Business Week:

To protect themselves, buyers can retain their own exclusive representative, but be aware that a buyer's agent who also works as a seller's agent can sometimes end up on both sides of the deal.

National Home Buying Institute press release:

Conflicts of interest occur when home buyers want to buy a home that is listed with their buyer agent's company. This situation is called the in-house sale and according to national statistics it happens to one out of every three home buyers. Since a real estate agent cannot legally provide undivided loyalty to both the home buyer and home seller at the same time, the agent must ask both buyer and seller to give up their right to undivided loyalty by signing a disclosed dual agency agreement. The dual agency agreement supposedly facilitates the in-house sale and means double commissions to the only real estate company involved in the transaction.

The tactic of baiting the consumer with undivided loyalty and switching to dual agency may be illegal according to the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission. These bait and switch tactics are proving to be costly to home buyers...

Money Magazine:

The best buyer brokers are so-called exclusive agents - that is, they represent buyers, never sellers...

Mobility Magazine:

Only by using an Exclusive Buyer's Agent can a buyer be sure all information is kept confidential. Only an Exclusive Buyer's Agent can give the buyer an objective, experienced opinion of the homes viewed to ensure the buyer gets the right home, in the right location, at the right price.

Most Agents can't do half the things Exclusive Buyer Agents do:
Services / Duties	Seller Agents	Exclusive Buyer Agents
Arrange property showings
Assist with financing
Provide accurate information
Explain forms and agreements
Monitor closings
Prepare a property value study and suggest an offering price
Provide access to the entire market, both listed and unlisted inventory
Keep your financial information and bargaining strategy confidential
Help negotiate the best price and terms for you, the buyer
Assist in writing and offer with your best interests in mind
Advise the buyer even if it means pointing out reasons not to buy
Takes no listings and can guarantee loyalty tothe buyer

Sound good? Want more information? Contact me via allentba@aol.com or give me a call (901) 753-6400

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