In real estate, “Single Agency” means I represent you—and only you. I am your teammate, working entirely in your best interest to secure the best outcome for your needs.
“Dual Agency” happens when one Broker represents both sides. By law, the Broker must remain neutral. You can’t fully fight for one client without putting the other at a disadvantage, so you become a facilitator for the contract rather than an advocate for the person.
In the past, I have successfully managed complex dual agency deals. I once listed a 175-acre estate for a widow who was facing severe financial strain. We found a buyer quickly, but the transaction was a minefield of sold timber allotments and road right-of-way issues. At closing, the attorney told me that if a second agent had been involved, the deal likely would have fallen apart. Being the sole repository of information kept everyone on the same page.
In the last several years, I’ve backed away from Dual Agency.
Many of my clients are friends or referrals. I want to give them 100% of my attention and advice, not 50%. If I wouldn’t put a friend in a position where they lack a true advocate, I won’t do it to any client.
Choosing Single Agency is a value-added service that not every Broker defaults to. For a Broker, Dual Agency means a double paycheck and doubled sales stats. But real estate shouldn’t be about the Broker’s numbers—it’s about the client’s best interest.
The State of North Carolina is beginning to agree. Barring any changes, individual Brokers will no longer be allowed to act as Dual Agents starting October 1st. While I firmly believe Single Agency better serves clients, I also believe the choice should belong to the consumer, not the State.
What are your thoughts on this upcoming rule change? Do you prefer having a single point of contact, or do you value having your own exclusive advocate?
