Quote:
Originally Posted by Bonanza
A buyer most certainly can have an agent who works for them and typically, if that is the case,, the buyer may pay them if that is the arrangement the Realtor makes with the them.
In addition, the agent may not necessarily work for the seller unless that is mentioned upfront by the agent. Most agents/Realtors are Transaction Brokers meaning they must treat both the buyer and seller honestly in all dealings.
If you aren't sure who an agent/Realtor is working for . . . ASK!
They have to tell you and you can get them to put it in writing.
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I have never heard of a real estate agent being paid by a buyer in The Villages. Do you know a broker who has a standard written contract agreement where the buyer pays money to the broker? Every listing contract and settlement closing statement I have seen shows that the seller pays the entire commission to the broker. You are correct that licensed real estate agents must treat both the buyer and seller honestly, because they have a fiduciary relationship with them by Florida law. But, that is different from representing them as an agent in the selling process. For example, suppose a potential buyer tells an agent that they want to make an offer of $300K on a house, but they are willing to pay up to $350K if the offer is rejected. The agent would not be doing their job if they didn't convey that information to the seller, who they represent. Any real estate agent showing houses should make it clear to the buyer upfront that they represent the seller. I don't think that is always done adequately by all agents.