AGENCY RELATIONSHIPS IN REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
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MINNESOTA LAW REQUIRES that early in any relationship, real estate brokers or salespersons discuss with consumers what type of agency representation or relationship they desire.(1) The available options are listed below. This is not a contract. This is an agency disclosure form only. If you desire representation you must enter into a written contract, according to state law (a listing contract or a buyer representation contract). Until such time as you choose to enter into a written contract for representation, you will be treated as a customer and will not receive any representation from the broker or salesperson. The broker or salesperson will be acting as a Facilitator (see paragraph V on page two (2)), unless the broker or salesperson is representing another party, as described below.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT: I/We acknowledge that I/we have been presented with the below-described options. I/We understand that until I/we have signed a representation contract, I/we am/are not represented by the broker/salesperson. I/We understand that written consent is required for a dual agency relationship.
THIS IS A DISCLOSURE ONLY, NOT A CONTRACT FOR REPRESENTATION.
(Signature) (Date) (Signature) (Date)
I. Seller’s Broker: A broker who lists a property, or a salesperson who is licensed to the listing broker, represents the Seller and acts on behalf of the Seller. A Seller’s broker owes to the Seller the fiduciary duties described on page two (2).(2) The broker must also disclose to the Buyer material facts as defined in MN Statute 82.54, Subd. 3, of which the broker is aware that could adversely and significantly affect the Buyer’s use or enjoyment of the property. If a broker or salesperson working with a Buyer as a customer is representing the Seller, he or she must act in the Seller’s best interest and must tell the Seller any information disclosed to him or her, except confidential information acquired in a facilitator relationship (see paragraph V on page two (2)). In that case, the Buyer will not be represented and will not receive advice and counsel from the broker or salesperson.
II. Subagent: A broker or salesperson who is working with a Buyer but represents the Seller. In this case, the Buyer is the broker’s customer and is not represented by that broker. If a broker or salesperson working with a Buyer as a customer is representing the Seller, he or she must act in the Seller’s best interest and must tell the Seller any information that is disclosed to him or her. In that case, the Buyer will not be represented and will not receive advice and counsel from the broker or salesperson.
III. Buyer’s Broker: A Buyer may enter into an agreement for the broker or salesperson to represent and act on behalf of the Buyer. The broker may represent the Buyer only, and not the Seller, even if he or she is being paid in whole or in part by the Seller. A Buyer’s broker owes to the Buyer the fiduciary duties described on page two. (2).(2) The broker must disclose to the Buyer material facts as defined in MN Statute 82.54, Subd. 3, of which the broker is aware that could adversely and significantly affect the Buyer’s use or enjoyment of the property. If a broker or salesperson working with a Seller as a customer is representing the Buyer, he or she must act in the Buyer’s best interest and must tell the Buyer any information disclosed to him or her, except confidential information acquired in a facilitator relationship (see paragraph V on page two (2)). In that case, the Seller will not be represented and will not receive advice and counsel from the broker or salesperson.
IV. Dual Agency – Broker Representing both Seller and Buyer: Dual agency occurs when one broker or salesperson represents both parties to a transaction, or when two salespersons licensed to the same broker each represent a party to the transaction. Dual agency requires the informed consent of all parties, and means that the broker and salesperson owe the same duties to the Seller and the Buyer. This role limits the level of representation the broker and salesperson can provide, and prohibits them from acting exclusively for either party. In a dual agency, confidential information about price, terms and motivation for pursuing a transaction will be kept confidential unless one party instructs the broker or salesperson in writing to disclose specific information about him or her. Other information will be shared. Dual agents may not advocate for one party to the detriment of the other.(3)
Within the limitations described above, dual agents owe to both Seller and Buyer the fiduciary duties described on page two (2).(2) Dual agents must disclose to Buyers material facts as defined in MN Statute 82.54, Subd. 3, of which the broker is aware that could adversely and significantly affect the Buyer’s use or enjoyment of the property.
I have had the opportunity to review the “Notice Regarding Predatory Offender Information” on
(initial) (initial)
AGENCY RELATIONSHIPS IN REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
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V. Facilitator: A broker or salesperson who performs services for a Buyer, a Seller or both but does not represent either in a fiduciary capacity as a Buyer’s Broker, Seller’s Broker or Dual Agent. THE FACILITATOR BROKER OR SALESPERSON DOES NOT OWE ANY PARTY ANY OF THE FIDUCIARY DUTIES LISTED BELOW, EXCEPT CONFIDENTIALITY, UNLESS THOSE DUTIES ARE INCLUDED IN A WRITTEN FACILITATOR SERVICES AGREEMENT. The facilitator broker or salesperson owes the duty of confidentiality to the party but owes no other duty to the party except those duties required by law or contained in a written facilitator services agreement, if any. In the event a facilitator broker or salesperson working with a Buyer shows a property listed by the facilitator broker or salesperson, then the facilitator broker or salesperson must act as a Seller’s Broker (see paragraph I on page one (1)). In the event a facilitator broker or salesperson, working with a Seller, accepts a showing of the property by a Buyer being represented by the facilitator broker or salesperson, then the facilitator broker or salesperson must act as a Buyer’s Broker (see paragraph III on page one (1)).
(1) This disclosure is required by law in any transaction involving property occupied or intended to be occupied by one to four families as their residence.
(2) The fiduciary duties mentioned above are listed below and have the following meanings:
Loyalty – broker/salesperson will act only in client(s)’ best interest.
Obedience – broker/salesperson will carry out all client(s)’ lawful instructions.
Disclosure – broker/salesperson will disclose to client(s) all material facts of which broker/salesperson has knowledge which might reasonably affect the client(s)’ use and enjoyment of the property.
Confidentiality – broker/salesperson will keep client(s)’ confidences unless required by law to disclose specific information (such as disclosure of material facts to Buyers).
Reasonable Care – broker/salesperson will use reasonable care in performing duties as an agent.
Accounting – broker/salesperson will account to client(s) for all client(s)’ money and property received as agent.
(3) If Seller(s) decide(s) not to agree to a dual agency relationship, Seller(s) may give up the opportunity to sell the property to Buyers represented by the broker/salesperson. If Buyer(s) decide(s) not to agree to a dual agency relationship, Buyer(s) may give up the opportunity to purchase properties listed by the broker.
NOTICE REGARDING PREDATORY OFFENDER INFORMATION: Information regarding the predatory offender registry and persons registered with the predatory offender registry under MN Statute 243.166 may be obtained by contacting the local law enforcement offices in the community where the property is located, or the Minnesota Department of Corrections at (651) 361-7200, or from the Department of Corrections Web site at www.corr.state.mn.us.
MN:AGCYDISC-2 (8/10)
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