• RELATIONSHIPS (choosing the right one with your REALTOR®)
If you’re buying real estate or selling real estate, knowing the difference between a Single Agent and Transaction Broker will help you get the most out of any real estate transaction.

The Three Forms of Relationship
As the Buyer or Seller in a residential transaction you must choose one of three relationships with your Florida real estate broker. These are legal terms and each carries a very different level of responsibility to you.
1). Single Agent: Exclusive, full representation to the Buyer OR Seller.
2). Transaction Broker: limited representation to the Buyer AND Seller.
3). No Brokerage Relationship: does not represent the Buyer or the Seller at all, simply facilitates the transaction (fills out paperwork, helps both parties through the process).

Transaction Broker
A “Transaction Broker” IS NOT YOUR AGENT, you are not their client, you are simply a customer. Legally, they cannot tell you if a property is over priced, write a contract favorable to you, or negotiate in your best interest. They have equal responsibilities to both parties and their role requires they remain absolutely neutral.

Single Agent (Buyers Agent or Sellers Agent)
A “Single Agent” IS YOUR AGENT EXCLUSIVELY, you are their client and they have full fiduciary responsibility to you and you alone. They’re allowed to voice an opinion, must disclose everything they know about a property and its ownership, can write a contract favorable to you and negotiate in your best interest. Their full and total responsibility is exclusively to you.

(Single Agents are also known as Buyer’s Agents or Seller’s Agents or Buyers Representative or Sellers Representative)

Protecting Your Best Interests
Some brokerages will want to be a Transaction Broker, especially firms likely to earn commissions from both sides of a single transaction. But, if both the Seller AND Buyer are being served by the same brokerage (e.g. you want to buy one of their listings, or you want to sell to one of their customers) Florida Law insists they use the Transaction Broker form of representation.

You Deserve an Exclusive Agent
We think you deserve your own agent and recommend you go to another REALTOR, who can be your Buyer’s Representative OR Seller’s Representative, someone who represents your best interests exclusively. As a Single Agent, any REALTOR can negotiate the best price and terms from your perspective, can promote and protect your best interests exclusively.

Prospective Clients
Of course we want you to choose Longboat Realty as your Buyers Agent or Sellers Agent, and we want to represent you as a Single Agent. Regardless of your choice be sure to understand exactly whom any real estate broker or real estate agent represents. Ask them directly to explain their duties to you and to the other party. If they’re the same, you’re not getting full representation.

VIEW ALL REAL ESTATE LISTINGS HERE
Search and Browse the Longboat MLS for properties on Longboat Key Florida, Anna Maria Island Florida, Bird Key Florida, Lido Key Florida, St. Armands Key Florida, Bradenton Beach Florida, Holmes Beach, Florida, Jewfish Key Florida, La Lanaire Isle, Florida.

Please Contact Longboat Realty
If you’re not working with an agent already and wish to buy OR sell property on Longboat Key, Bird Key, Anna Maria Island, Lido Key, St. Armands Key, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach or Jewfish Key (La Lanaire Isle), please call our office: 941-383-7070, call Joe direct on his Cell: 941-705-2000, or Email here.