Having Someone in Your Corner

Calling the agent whose name is on the sign feels like going straight to the source. It is a fair instinct — and it is also the moment most buyers hand over their only advocate without noticing, because that agent already has a signed, legal obligation to the seller.

This guide lays out what a buyer's agent is actually obligated to do for you, what changes when you deal directly with the listing agent, and how the two compare on the things that decide a transaction.

What's Inside

• The duties you are owed — loyalty, confidentiality, full disclosure, and care — obligations, not courtesies
• Honest counsel on price — what comparable homes actually sold for, and what a smart offer looks like
• What the listing agent cannot do — why an agent working for the seller cannot ethically advise you to offer less
• Dual agency, plainly explained — what you give up when one agent tries to represent both sides
• A side-by-side comparison — buyer's agent versus listing agent on the five things that matter most