I am a buyer. Is it ethically OK for me to work with more than one real estate agent?

Question

Or should I tell my agent that I also am working with another agent?

Answer 1

I think ethically its pretty crappy....I mean why waste an agent's time/money, esp in a market like this where every agent is desperate for a sale!  

Why would you want to use two agents anyway?  They both have access to the same MLS listings??

Answer 2

Stick to the agent you like the best and feel the most comfortable working with.  If the agent is good- they both have access to the exact same homes on the market so as long as they are clear on what you are looking for, then they should provide you with the same homes to see!  It's not fair to ask a realtor to spend their time and gas (as expensive as it is these days) to drive you around if there is a possibility you may end up purchasing a home from another agent.  We work only off commission so you should treat realtors as if it was you trying to make a living and you have someone that you are trying to represent not being honest with you.

Answer 3

Unsure about your state, but in California I do know of some Brokers that have taken Suit against Buyers doing this in todays market and winning judgement for lost time Payment

Answer 4

Its fine to do this but you should tell each agent you are working with another (I assume you didn't sign any contracts with either realtor saying you would work with them exclusively).  Essentially just tell them both that whoever finds you the place you want gets the commission and if either one minds you working with other agents they can bow out and no longer represent you, but again you can't sign any agreements (or even state verbally) saying you will work with either of them exclusively.

Answer 5

If you don’t have a written agreement with either, and you don’t let agent B do your paperwork on a property Agent A originally showed you (or similar), you can do this, but it would be best to be honest with both.

Answer 6

Ethically, no it's not OK.  True, the agent is an agent of the seller, but an agent that invests time in helping you to find and purchase a property shouldn't miss out on a deserved commission.

Answer 7

Just remember that most real estate agents--unless they tell you otherwise in writing--are working for the SELLER! Assume that someone or some company has been engaged to sell the property and they represent that. YOU owe them nothing.

Some agents will give you a peice of paper that you may sign stating that they are working for you as a buyer. They are not working for the seller. Just make sure you are not signing an agreement promising that you will work EXCLUSIVEly with that person. And, don't be afraid to ask.

The only thing you need to watch out for is seeing the SAME property with two or more agents. Who, then, should get the credit?

But this can easily be avoided if you can pick from email links mailed to you and skip the ones you saw. Just keep a list of only the properties you liked and who and when you saw them.