It is my personal goal to sell every home that I list MYSELF and I have actually sold almost 20% of my own listings. In Florida, we can represent each party in what we call a Transaction Broker form of representation. 

So my feeling is that "double dipping" is perfectly fine as long as you deal honestly & fairly AND do not represent one party to the detriment of the other. 

That said, I would not use the term "double dipping" around a customer.

It is legal here in DC, but I don't do "Dual Agency" where I represent both parties to the transaction.  I'm not even comfortable doing a double dip, representing only the seller if the buyer agrees to go un-represented.  Agents who choose to practice dual agency are lawsuits waiting to happen - IMHO.

I've always said "pick a side" and stay there.... we're set up to co-broke all of our listings.... we prefer it....but if the buyer insists on writing an offer through us rather than a buyer's agent, we put it in writing that we represent the seller and the buyer will have no representation!!!  

what are those people thinking!!!

Robert (Alaska Bob) Swetz "Double Dipping" has a negative connotation of being something illegal. In my State it is legal as long as it is properly disclosed to all parties. Does everyone know, if an agent sells an office listing the broker becomes the dual agent? Not much difference.

If I am a transaction broker I will do it

Robert,

I don't like the words "double dipping".  The agents I know who represent both sides, disclose it, and do a great job of making the deal happen, which is their primary purpose!  A

I am acting as a facilitator and that as close as I get

I have done it a few times and treated both sides fairly. The results would have been the same had there been another Realtor involved, I am an honest person.

Just keep ethical and honest and you will be fine as long as you disclose to everyone.

I think it's fine as long as it's done honorably.  

Vegas Alaska Bob (or Alaska Vegas Bob, if you prefer) - In Ontario, dual agency is known as "multiple representation".  Multiple representation is at the brokerage level.  The same brokerage can represent both the buyer and the seller as long as it is properly disclosed and certain rules are followed.  Multiple representation can occur even if the buyer's agent and the seller's agent do not know each other but work at the same brokerage.  Also, the same agent can represent both sides as well.  If the politicians don't like the current rules, they can always change them.  The Ontario government is a majority government and will be in that situation until the next election in a couple of years.

Most agents are totally unaware that they don't have to create Dual Agency to make the entire commission !!!

We do not have dual agency in Oklahoma. We are purely transactional brokers and work for the transaction.

It can be tricky and challenging at times, but we have never had a problem. transactions go way smoother.

Dual agency is legal in NH as long as disclosed. In most cases it happens with my bank listings. On owner occupied homes, i prefer to do 1 side or the other 

It's legal in AZ but we don't do it.

It's common around here.  

I don't have a problem with it at all.  

The ony person that dual agency benefits is the agent...

Eve

Good morning Bob. If I was in the business, I would do it, do all I could not to attempt representing both sides.

 Good morning Bob. I find it hard to see how someone can remain loyal to one and do their best to do their due diligence to another. To me, it is a tight line

We do represent both sides in some transactions, with very careful guidelines for all communications. Some of those deals would never have succeeded without our dual agency because of complexity, and our clients have all been highly satisfied.

If it is a win/win for both parties, than okay let's do it.  But if there is an advantage/disadvantage for one or the other, then we have to go "single agent" and choose a side.

I don't believe in dual agency. 

Avoid it as much as possible. If you are involved with lawyers, The lawyer will work with you if their offers are selected. These offers are often lower price and they want to know why their conditions this and that are not cosidered. 

i think the best answer was by Barbara Todaro .  I will not do dual agency.  I prefer to refer one party to another agent or as Barbara said,  I will represent one party and put it in writing that I represent only one party and the other is unrepresented.

I would say I do it more often than not Robert (Alaska Bob) Swetz . That sign in the front yard always brings a lot of calls. If a person takes the time to really go over the agency docs with the Seller I don't see a problem with it... and I've never had a problem with it.

I would rather have me on both ends than a bad agent on one side. Having said that, I am loath to take on the additional liability of dual agency and would prefer not to as a rule.

I know agents that look to represent both sides - they don't advertise a property in the MLS.  I absolutely never will do it.  I have heard and believe the same analogy: You cant be the prosecutor and defender on same case in a court trial so how can you represent both sides equally in a real estate transaction?  You can't.  I dont care what anyone says, or how they rationalize it but "in my opinion" a party to a transaction cannot be fully represented as they should be when their agent is also representing the other party in a transaction.

I am happy to refer the buyer to another competent agent and take a referral -and if that buyer is ready to go and a cash buyer - I'll take a substantial referral for handing them a ready to go deal.

Dual agency isn't allowed in Colorado. I have worked both the buying and selling side. It can be done and done well. The agent just needs to be careful and disclosure to both parties. 

There are rules and regulations in place and therefore, perfectly acceptable if done properly.  My Sellers are always pleased when it is me who brings them the Buyer.  My Buyers come to me because I know the property better than anyone else.  It is a Win/Win for everyone!

It's legal in both California and Hawaii as long as the right disclosures are made. I am a broker in both states and have no trouble with it.

Robert (Alaska Bob) Swetz - dual agency is perfectly okay as long as you are honest to both sides.

Double Dipping is perhaps less respectful terminology and should be used for those who intentionally look for dual agency.

I have only done this once and the buyer and seller were friends and both former clients.  I think you have make it clear who you are working for.  

As long as all parties to the contract are notified, there should be no issue. We do it all the time.

I don't care for it if I'm personally a dual agent... can turn into a conflict of interest too quickly. How do you serve the BEST interests of two parties. Best assumes just one party. That being said, I've been a dual agent maybe half a dozen times and fortunately with no issues.... but it was the nature of the transactions that kept it clean for me.

As far as the company being a dual agent, no issues there for me. I don't treat the agents inside my company any differently than those with competing firms.

As long as all parties are informed it should not be a problem.

Most times here we do dual agency ad have a designated buyers agent and the listing agent handles the sellers.

Disclosed dual agency is allowed in Pa. I have not done many.

It is legal in Florida. Sometimes "yes" and sometimes "no", depends on the parties involved.

Many times it can be a good thing.  Too many deals are trashed by agents who over do it on the adversarial stuff.

I do not represent both sides.  If I have the opportunity I turn one of the parties over to Larry.

My broker doesn't allow dual agency. I have represented a seller with an unrepresented buyer and the buyer signed off they needed no representation. All went fine. I got paid on both sides.

it can be the best of all deals or te worst of deals. all depends on the agent

The benefits to the buyer and seller are significant.

Both parties have expressed complete satisfaction with the outcome.

Are you aware of a different outcome?

Are you fully informed regarding the details of such transactions?

It's discouraged here, and agents hands are basically tied. Agents just have to be careful what they say, and when they say it. If a buyer doesn't want an agent on one of my listings, I use an umrepresented buyer form.

Robert - Although it is legal to do in Arizona, I feel as though you can't really represent two separate parties honestly and fairly. Any time you discover something about either the buyer, property, or seller, your are in a quandary because you are supposed to do whatever you can to get the highest and best offer for your seller, while at the same time get the lowest sales price for your buyer. Plus, what happens when things are discovered during the home inspection, or if the appraisal does not appraise at the sales price, or if you know the seller doesn't have any money for repairs, or if the buyer needs closing costs paid for by the seller. You cannot be partial when you know certain things, so to me, you just can't represent both parties fairly in a transaction. If you can't represent both parties equally, then you really are not representing either one fairly.

So, guess what, I don't do dual agency.

Good morning Robert,

I am a transaction broker, about 60% of my transactions are double sided.

Both parties are represented with honesty.

I think they should not double dip.  The Buyer and the Seller needs equal representation.

To quote Tim McGraw... "I like it, I love it, I want some more of it."

In CA it is legal, so long as it is fully disclosed to all parties.  I have no issues with it and I've had transactions that would have fallen apart if I wasn't handling both sides.

I don't do dual agency and won't even if asked to.

If you're committed to servicing your client, then why not just recommend a different agent in your brokerage to rep the other side? 

I have represented the seller in hundreds of transactions with buyers. Treat all of the parities fairly and there are few problems.

I am not a fan.  I've only done it a few times in 13 years.  That said, I just "gave" a buyer client to another agent on one of my listings ... I did all the work.  In that situation it would have made more sense for me to represent the buyer ... but that is not always true.

In states, where it's legal and properly documented, it seems to work well, but can be tricky. Most agents love it and pride themselves on it.

I have done at least 60% dual agancy over my 16+ years with no problems. Both partiews know that if they feel there is to much of a conflict I will bring in another agent...not one has asked to have that done and many say it was the easiest and best deal they have ever done

Bob,
You can’t advocate for two sides which is why after the fact one side or the other is likely to sue.

Robert (Alaska Bob) Swetz I think, it is appropriate as long as done according to local rules.

If done right it can work out for everyone, but I stay neutral and just present whatever each side wants to offer/accept etc.