The most important thing you need to know when working with a real estate licensee is whether you are a client or a customer.  A licensee owes certain duties to a client that are different from the services the licensee performs for a customer.

Agent and Client

An agent is a person who acts for or represents you in negotiations with other parties.  The client or principal is the person the agent represents.  The licensee when acting as an agent must loyally represent the best interest of the client by placing the interests of the client ahead of the interests of any other party.  In a real estate transaction, when a real estate salesperson is employed as an agent, the salesperson is obligated to negotiate the best price and terms for his or her client.

What is a Customer?

A customer is a person who is provided services by a real estate broker, but who is not a client of the broker.  In this case, the real estate licensee is not acting as an agent.  The actual services you receive from a real estate broker depend on the arrangement that is established between you and the licensee.  The different types of real estate agreements are described in a booklet entitled A CONSUMER INFORMATION BOOKLET / WHAT CONSUMERS NEED TO KNOW WHEN WORKING WITH A REAL ESTATE BROKER.

To get a free copy of this booklet, click on the link below and type "Free Agency Booklet" in the body of your message.