"An exclusive buyer agent or buyer representative is a licensed real estate professional who only represents the buyer in a single transaction and never represents both seller and buyer at the same time.  He never chooses to perform dual agency.  In short, he is an advocate for his client.
 
All licensed real estate agents have the right to assist sellers as well as buyers when it comes to their real estate needs.  When representing one side in a transaction, either the seller or the buyer, they are practicing single agency.   At times they may believe that a buyer client might be interested in a property they also have listed.   Their choice to attempt to "represent" both seller and buyer in the same transaction is officially called dual agency.   Within the profession it is sometimes referred to as double dipping as the agent now has the possibility of collecting a fee from both clients in the event of a sale.  
 
It is quite common in small markets, like mine, for agents or agencies to practice dual agency because the probability for dual agency increases as the number of local agents decreases.  Random checks from time to time of our local mls reveal that either dual agency or designated agency (when one agency represents both seller and buyer clients in a transaction and individual agents within the firm are designated to represent each side) occur in close to 50% of all local real estate transactions in which an agent is used.   Dual agency, therefore, is a fairly common practice in my market.
 
Such an arrangement is permitted by law as long as the agent obtains the written consent of both parties.  The law in Virginia doesn't require that consent be preceded by informing both clients of the consequences of changing their relationship with their agent so that his role is now one of a facilitator whose services are severely limited by law and must be devoid of any advice.  In short, he can no longer be an advocate for either client.  He cannot reveal certain things to either side that he would probably have been required to reveal had he remained an agent of one or the other.  He might also already be aware of certain confidential information that must not made known to either "client".  
 
Dual agency is always a conflict of interest for an agent despite consent from both clients. 
It's very simple.  One cannot serve the conflicting interests of sellers and buyers at the same time.


 Some Reasons Why Vita And Associates, Inc. Should Be Your Exclusive Buyer's Agents:

•

 Since I'm the only local exclusive buyer representative, my service is truly unique.  I'll never, therefore, find myself in a conflict of interest position via dual representation. 
 
• I enjoy being an advocate for my client's best interests without being adversarial with my fellow Realtors. I truly work for the buyer and am not afraid to provide the best information and advice even if that means a sale doesn't occur and, as a result, I do not receive any compensation for my time.
 
• I provide five different types of services for my clients to insure that they know as much about a property as we can reasonably discover (the good, the bad and the ugly) so that I can put together the best deal possible for them.  I want my clients to make a wise and economically sound choice based upon accurate information and good advice.

An exclusive buyer agent or buyer representative is a licensed real estate professional who only represents the buyer in a single transaction and never represents both seller and buyer at the same time.  He never chooses to perform dual agency.  In short, he is an advocate for his client.