It bears repeating that a home is most people’s largest single investment. With that in mind, the primary purpose of a Realtor is to provide you with PEACE-OF-MIND in the purchase of your home. The most important quality you are looking for in a real estate agent is TRUST. You want to be able to TRUST your agent to work hard on your behalf, to be very knowledgeable about the market, to listen carefully to your needs, to provide you with information and creative alternatives, and to always keep their promises. You can rest assured we take this commitment seriously!  The following is our pledge to you:

I. Seller's Broker: A broker who lists a property, or a salesperson who is licensed to the listing broker, represents the Seller and acts on behalf of the Seller. A Seller's broker owes to the Seller the fiduciary duties described below. (2) The broker must also disclose to the Buyer material facts as defined in MN Statute 82.22, Subd. 8, of which the broker is aware that could adversely and significantly affect the Buyer's use or enjoyment of the property. If a broker or salesperson working with a Buyer as a customer is representing the Seller, he or she must act in the Seller's best interest and must tell the Seller any information disclosed to him or her, except confidential information acquired in a facilitator relationship (see paragraph V below). In that case, the Buyer will not be represented and will not receive advice and counsel from the broker or salesperson. 

II. Subagent: A broker or salesperson who is working with a Buyer but represents the Seller. In this case, the Buyer is the broker's customer and is not represented by that broker. If a broker or salesperson working with a Buyer as a customer is representing the Seller, he or she must act in the Seller's best interest and must tell the Seller any information that is disclosed to him or her. In that case, the Buyer will not be represented and will not receive advice and counsel from the broker or salesperson. 

III. Buyer's Broker: A Buyer may enter into an agreement for the broker or salesperson to represent and act on behalf of the Buyer. The broker may represent the Buyer only, and not the Seller, even if he or she is being paid in whole or in part by the Seller. A Buyer's broker owes to the Buyer the fiduciary duties described below. (2) The broker must disclose to the Buyer material facts as defined in MN Statute 82.22, Subd. 8, of which the broker is aware that could adversely and significantly affect the Buyer's use or enjoyment of the property. If a broker or salesperson working with a Seller as a customer is representing the Buyer, he or she must act in the Buyer's best interest and must tell the Buyer any information disclosed to him or her, except confidential information acquired in a facilitator relationship (see paragraph V below). In that case, the Seller will not be represented and will not receive advice or counsel from the broker or salesperson. 

IV. Dual Agency: Broker Representing both Seller and Buyer: Dual agency occurs when one broker or salesperson represents both parties to a transaction, or when two salespersons licensed to the same broker each represent a party to the transaction. Dual agency requires the informed consent of all parties, and means 1hat the broker and salesperson owe the same duties to the Seller and the Buyer. This role limits the level of representation the broker and salesperson can provide, and prohibits them from acting exclusively for either party. In a dual agency, confidential information about price, terms and motivation for pursuing a transaction will be kept confidential unless one party instructs the broker or salesperson in writing to disclose specific information about him or her. Other information will be shared. Dual agents may not advocate for one party to the detriment of the other. (3) 

Within the limitations described above, dual agents owe to both Seller and Buyer the fiduciary duties described below. (2) Dual agents must disclose to Buyers material facts as defined in MN Statute 82.22, Subd. 8, of which the broker is aware that could adversely and significantly affect the Buyer's use or enjoyment of the property. 

V. Facilitator: A broker or salesperson who performs services for a Buyer, a Seller or both but does not represent either in a fiduciary capacity as a Buyer's Broker, Seller's Broker or Dual Agent. THE FACILITATOR BROKER OR SALESPERSON DOES NOT OWE ANY PARTY ANY OF THE FIDUCIARY Duties LISTED BELOW, EXCEPT CONFIDENTIALITY, UNLESS THOSE DUTIES ARE INCLUDED IN A WRITTEN FACILITATOR SERVICES AGREEMENT. The facilitator broker or salesperson owes the duty of confidentiality to the party but owes no other duty to the party except those duties required by law or contained in a written facilitator services agreement, if any. In the event a facilitator broker or salesperson working with a Buyer shows a property listed by the facilitator broker or salesperson, then the facilitator broker or salesperson must act as a Seller's Broker (see paragraph I above). In the event a facilitator broker or salesperson, working with a Seller, accepts a showing of the property by a Buyer being represented by the facilitator broker or salesperson, then the facilitator broker or salesperson must act as a Buyer’s Broker (see paragraph III above).

The fiduciary duties mentioned above are listed below and have the following meanings:

Loyalty - broker/salesperson will act only in client(s)' best interest.

Obedience - broker/salesperson will carry out all client(s)' lawful instructions. 

Disclosure - broker/salesperson will disclose to client(s) all material facts of which broker/salesperson has knowledge which might reasonably affect the client's use and enjoyment of the property. 

Confidentiality - broker/salesperson will keep client(s)' confidences unless required by law to disclose specific information (such as disclosure of material facts to Buyers). 

Reasonable Care - broker/salesperson will use reasonable care in performing duties as an agent. 

Accounting - broker/salesperson will account to client(s) for all client(s)' money and property received as agent.

If Seller(s) decide(s) not to agree to a dual agency relationship, Seller(s) may give up the opportunity to sell the property to Buyers represented by the broker/salesperson. If Buyer(s) decide(s) not to agree to a dual agency relationship, Buyer(s) may give up the opportunity to purchase properties listed by the broker.

You should feel free to discuss these agency representation options with your agent since it is important that you have a thorough understanding of every aspect of the real estate transaction.

Recently buyers have become aware that real estate Sales Associates have considerable knowledge that could be of great assistance in deciding what property to purchase. It is important for you to understand that a seller’s agent works for and represents the seller, per the listing contract that is signed by both parties (the Broker, represented by the agent, and the seller) at the time of the listing agreement. In many areas of the country, buyer representation in the form of a contract signed by both the potential buyer and the Broker (represented by the agent) has become as prevalent as the traditional listing contract.

A buyer’s agent works for and represents the buyer. When a buyer is represented by a Sales Associate and their Broker via a Buyer Representation Contract, the seven fiduciary duties of Loyalty, Diligence, Confidentiality, Reasonable Care, Obedience, Disclosure, and Accounting are owed to the buyer as well.

When you hire us by signing a Buyer Representation Contract, you’re hiring us to protect your interests, negotiate, and represent you in any real estate purchase transaction. We guarantee a commitment to make every reasonable effort to locate the property described by the buyer and provide the seven fiduciary responsibilities to the buyer alone.

Next: Find a Home