All About Agents

Listing Agents | Dual Agency | Commissions

Listing Agents
The standard practice of real estate in Hawaii traditionally favors the seller. When you contact the listing/seller's agent, you will be informed that the seller is the client and is represented by the listing/seller's company. You are a customer and represent yourself.

When misunderstandings arise between the seller/client and the buyer/customer, your concerns may fall on less-than-sympathetic ears. Who is going to fight for your interests? The listing/seller's agent?

The listing/seller's agent has a legal fiduciary responsibility to obtain the highest price and best terms for the seller. The listing/seller's agent can only tell you general information about a seller. The listing/seller's agent must conceal anything about the seller that would help the buyer gain an advantage.

A listing/seller's agent must tell the seller everything they can find out about you, your financial status and your motivation for buying. Nothing you tell the listing/seller's agent can be kept confidential. You would not hire the opposing attorney to represent you in a lawsuit. Attorneys know better! So why would you consider hiring the listing/seller's agent to look after your interests in a real estate transaction? When working with the listing/seller's agent as a buyer/customer, you lose your negotiating position.

You have a choice. You can work with the listing/seller's agent or you can have your own exclusive buyer's broker representing you at no additional cost to you.

Dual Agency [TOP]
Many listing/seller's agents offer the buyer "dual agency." What is that all about??

Dual agency is a paradox — an attorney's delight. No agent can represent the best interests of both seller and buyer. The buyer looses their negotiating position. The buyer regresses to the old caveat "Let the Buyer Beware".

You will not hear the words "dual agency" at Kona Luxury Homes, Limited.

Commissions [TOP]
In Hawaii, the seller pays all commissions from the purchase price received from you, the buyer. The listing agent represents the seller. In reality, you are paying the commissions, so why not have your own exclusive buyer's Broker represent you at no additional cost.

Contact Roger . . . You'll be glad you did!