I don’t do dual agency where I personally represent both the buyer and the seller. Bob Bruss has a column about home buyers disadvantaged by a dual agent.

Here’s the problem. If I represent both the buyer and the seller, I have to “go neutral.” In particular, I can’t give either party advice on the price.

I can’t tell the buyer that the home is overpriced because that would betray my duty to the seller.

And I can’t advise the seller to counter at a higher price because that would betray my duty to the buyer.

I think both the buyer and seller both end up with half an agent… or less.

Home buyers, for example, shouldn’t use the sellers agent to be their agent. It doesn’t cost the home buyers anything to use a separate agent that represents their best interests exclusively.