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Sellers
As a seller consumer of real
estate services the agent you choose to list the property will be your
agent and will be obligated to you under the following guidelines:
Seller Agency:
Seller agency is a relationship
where the licensee, upon entering into a written agreement, works only
for a seller/landlord. Seller's agents owe the additional duties of:
- Loyalty to the seller/landlord by acting in the seller's/landlord's best interest.
- Confidentiality, except that a licensee has a duty to reveal known material defects about the property.
- Making a continuous and good faith effort to find a buyer for the property, except while the property is subject to an existing agreement.
- Disclosure to other parties in the transaction that the licensee has been engaged as a seller's agent.
A seller's agent may compensate other brokers as subagents
if the seller/landlord agrees in writing. Subagents have the same
duties and obligations as the seller's agent. Seller's agents may also
compensate buyer's agents and transaction licensees who do not have the
same duties and obligations as seller's agents.
If you enter into a written agreement, the licensees in the
real estate company owe you the additional duties identified above
under seller agency. The exception is designated agency. See the
designated agency section in this notice for more information.
Buyer Agency:
Buyer agency is a relationship
where the licensee, upon entering into a written agreement, works only
for the buyer/tenant. Buyer's agents owe the additional duties of:
- Loyalty to the buyer/tenant by acting in the buyer's/tenant's best interest.
- Confidentiality, except that a licensee is required to disclose know material defects about the property.
- Making a continuous and good faith effort to find a property for the buyer/tenant, except while the buyer/tenant is subject to an existing contract.
- Disclosure to other parties in the transaction that the licensee has been engaged as a buyer's agent.
A buyer's agent may be paid fees, which may include a percentage of the
purchase price, and, even if paid by the seller/landlord, will
represent the interests of the buyer/tenant.
If you enter into a written agreement, the licensees in the
real estate company owe you the additional duties identified above
under buyer agency. The exception is designated agency. See the
designated agency section in this notice for more information.
Dual Agency:
Dual agency is a relationship
where the licensee acts as the agent for both the seller/landlord and
the buyer/tenant in the same transaction with the written consent of
all parties. Dual agents owe the additional duties of:
- Taking no action that is adverse or detrimental to either party's interest in the transaction.
- Making a continuous and good faith effort to find a buyer for the property and a property for the buyer, unless either are subject to an existing contract.
- Confidentiality, except that a licensee is required to disclose known material defects about the property.
Designated Agency:
In designated agency, the
employing broker may, with your consent, designate one or more
licensees from the real estate company to represent you. Other
licensees in the company may represent another party and shall not be
provided with any confidential information. The designated agent(s)
shall have the duties as listed above under seller agency and buyer
agency.
In designated agency, the employing broker will be a dual agent and have the additional duties of:
- Taking reasonable care to protect any confidential information disclosed to the licensee.
- Taking responsibility to direct and supervise the business
activities of the licensees who represent the seller and buyer while
taking no action that is adverse or detrimental to either party's
interest in the transaction.
The designation may take place at the time that the parties enter into
a written agreement, but may occur at a later time. Regardless of when
the designation takes place, the employing broker is responsible for
ensuring that confidential information is not disclosed.
Transaction Licensee:
A transaction licensee is a
broker or salesperson who provides communication or document
preparation services or performs other acts for which a license is
required WITHOUT being the agent or advocate for either the
seller/landlord or the buyer/tenant. Upon signing a written agreement
or disclosure statement, a transaction licensee has the additional duty
of limited confidentiality in that the following information may not be
disclosed:
- The seller/landlord will accept a price less than the asking/list price.
- The buyer/tenant will pay a price greater than the price submitted in a written offer.
- The seller/landlord or buyer/tenant will agree to financing terms other than those offered.
Other information deemed confidential by the consumer shall not be provided to the transaction licensee.
OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
The following are negotiable and shall be addressed in an agreement/disclosure statements with the licensee:
- The duration of the employment, listing agreement or contract.
- The fees or commissions.
- The scope of the activities or practices.
- The broker's cooperation with other brokers, including the sharing of fees.
A sales agreement must contain the zoning classification of a property
except when in cases where the property is zoned solely or primarily to
permit single family dwellings.
A Real Estate Recovery Fund exist to reimburse any person who has
obtained a final civil judgement against a Pennsylvania real estate
licensee owing to fraud, misrepresentation, or deceit in a real estate
transaction and who has been unable to collect the judgment after
exhausting all legal and equitable remedies. For complete details about
the Fund, call (717) 783-3658.
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